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Perioperative anaemia programme launch

The Blood Health National Oversight group (BHNOG) anaemia workstream developed a national pathway for the identification, treatment and management of patients who are presenting preoperatively with anaemia in December 2021. In order to maximise the use of the national pathway within Health Boards (HBs) the BHNOG successfully received funding for a 2-year implementation programme from Value Based Health Care (VBHC).

The intended outcomes for the programme are to embed Patient Blood Management (PBM) within the perioperative setting to ensure equitable optimisation of patients. This will reduce avoidable transfusion due to anaemia, reduce length of hospital stays and improve clinical outcomes for patients. The Programme is led and managed by the Welsh Blood Service. We are pleased to introduce the programme team members below:

“Anaemia identification and treatment is an integral part of Patient Blood management and optimising outcomes for patients having major surgery.

This Values based Healthcare project has allowed us to raise awareness in patients and healthcare professionals who look after surgical patients and making sure that all patients across Wales have equity of access to education screening and treatment of this modifiable risk factor for surgery.

This project will make Wales one of the leading nations in delivery of Patient Blood management.”

Anaemia programme clinical lead, Dr Caroline Evans, a consultant anaesthetist in C&VUHB

 

“This project demonstrates WBS’s commitment and vital role in population healthcare, by promoting Patient Blood Management principles in the perioperative setting.

By successfully securing funding from Value Based Health Care and recruitment of a specialised team we will ensure all patients in Wales have equal opportunity to be assessed for anaemia and where appropriate treated ahead of surgery.

This will reduce avoidable transfusions, provide better outcomes for surgical patients, protect the blood supply chain and preserve blood for patients who need it.”

Welsh Blood Service Director, Alan Prosser

 

“We are very proud Wales has the Blood Health plan and with this a clear focus on delivery of high value care.

Anaemia identification and management is a key component of benefit to improving patient wellbeing and help improve patient safety.

The perioperative anaemia programme is an exciting venture, one so positively received that we look forward to seeing it deliver huge benefits over years to come.”

BHNOG chair, Dr. Brian Tehan

 

If you would like to attend a stakeholder meeting on Thursday 15 June 2023, or if you would like more information about the programme please email: WBS.BloodHealthTeam@wales.nhs.uk