The Transfusion Laboratory at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital provides blood components for transfusion at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, Cromer Hospital, Priscilla Bacon Lodge, Norfolk Community Health and Care Trust (NCHC), Spire Norwich, Bowthorpe Kidney service and Health Care at Home.
They are also responsible for the supply of prophylactic Anti-D, Prothrombin Complex Concentrate (Beriplex) and clotting factors.
The Transfusion Laboratory at the James Paget Hospital provides blood components for transfusion at the James Paget Hospital and Beccles Community Hospital.
They are also responsible for the supply of prophylactic Anti-D, Prothrombin Complex Concentrate (Beriplex) and clotting factors.
The Transfusion Laboratory at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital provides blood components for transfusion at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital and North Cambridgeshire Hospital in Wisbech.
They are also responsible for the supply of prophylactic Anti-D.
The Blood Transfusion Departments at NNUH, QEH and JPUH are accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) to ISO 15189:2022. The defined schedule of tests for which the laboratories are accredited can be found by clicking on the links below.
10295 (NNUH)
21363 (JPUH)
20494 (QEH)
Please note that the EPA transfusion services at NNUH, JPUH and QEH have completed a planned refresh of their equipment and a review of the related test methods. NNUH has now been assessed by UKAS and all tests are accredited. At JPUH and QEH all tests performed by the transfusion departments with the exception of the Kleihauer test, have been temporarily removed from their scope of UKAS accreditation until the new equipment and tests have been assessed by UKAS.
Please note, although the Kleihauer screening test is UKAS accredited, the quantitative flow cytometry test performed by Immunology, is not currently accredited.
For a list of abbreviations please click here
General Sample Guidelines can be downloaded here.
Sample Acceptance/Rejection Criteria can be downloaded here
A guide to changing internet explorer margins for all ICE forms can be found here
For most routine laboratory procedures, consent can be inferred when the patient presents himself or herself at a laboratory, or other suitable area, within a primary or secondary care setting, with a request form and willingly submits to the usual collecting procedure.
The laboratory infers informed consent has been obtained when samples are received. It is the responsibility of the clinician requesting the test to ensure that informed consent has been obtained.
This consent includes notification to third parties where required by law for example under
the Health Protection (Notification) Regulations 2010: we are required to notify any infection
of public health significance to local public health department as mandated by the regulation.
Please ensure your patient is aware of this before submission of samples for testing.
All 3 transfusion laboratories provide the following blood components and products:
In addition, NNUH and JPUH issue clotting factors e.g. Factor VIII, Factor IX and vWF.
In order to issue blood components the laboratory must have a valid sample for the patient. A sample is suitable for issuing components for up to 7 days after the sample was taken unless the patient has been pregnant or received a transfusion within the previous 3 months when a sample must be taken and sent for testing within 72 hours of the planned transfusion.
The check group: in line with national guidelines a check group sample may be required. If the patient has no previous transfusion records at the hospital, then a second sample will be needed to confirm that the correct patient has been bled. If this sample is required, then it should be taken by a different person to the initial sample and must be taken from a separate venepuncture.
When two samples arrive together, or in quick succession, a sample will be regarded as a suitable second sample if it was either:
If you suspect a transfusion reaction, stop the infusion and assess the patient. Call a Dr to see the patient, who can take advice from the clinical haematology team.
Each hospital will have their own Trust policies to follow, which are available on the staff intranet. You must inform the laboratory on the relevant site of the suspected transfusion reaction.
Massive blood loss is defined as ≥40% loss of total blood volume, blood loss of 4000mls within a 24hr period, blood loss of 2000mls in a 3hr period, or blood loss at a rate of >150mls/min. In recent years a more practical approach is that patients suspected of bleeding (especially if it is internal) will demonstrate a pulse of >110 bpm and a systolic blood pressure of < 90 mmH
The transfusion laboratories use the reference services of NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT). The EPA laboratories hold the specialist request forms for these investigations, and some require haematology consultant advice before referring.
Referral laboratory sample requirements are varied and stated on the reverse of the NHSBT request forms, please check before bleeding the patient.
Red Cell Immunohaematology (RCI): for blood grouping and antibody investigations that cannot be resolved in the laboratory.
Histocompatibilty and Immunogenetics (H&I): for investigations of platelet refractoriness, Transfusion Related Acute Lung Injury (TRALI), Neonatal Auto Immune Thrombocytopenia (NAIT).
International Blood Group Reference Laboratory (IBGRL): samples for cell free fetal DNA (cffDNA) to guide antenatal anti D prophylaxis.
Authorised results are available on the ICE system, which is updated regularly throughout the day.
Results of urgent requests, if ICE access or electronic delivery is not available, and unexpected results, which may aid immediate patient management, will be telephoned.
In the event that the laboratory is unable to deliver the required service due to equipment failure we will endeavour to contact all relevant users.
Clinicians may contact the duty consultant covering blood transfusion for clinical advice at any time via switchboard.
Details of national guidelines and local polices for blood transfusion can be found in Trust Docs via ‘The Beat’
The laboratory can also contact staff at NHSBT for advice, if required.
Patients already under the care of the NNUH Haematology Team should contact their consultant for any advice regarding their transfusion care. For other patients or members of the public, please contact the clinician involved with your care or your GP for any clinical queries related to blood transfusion. If required, your clinician will liaise with any relevant transfusion specialists.
Please note laboratory staff are not authorised to give results or provide advice to patients.
JPUH
The Transfusion laboratory is available 24 hours a day
For Urgent samples the laboratory can be contacted internally on 2443. Outside hours contact the Haematology BMS via the Switchboard.
The laboratory can be found at the rear of the building on the ground floor sign posted ‘Pathology – Blood Tests’
NNUH
The Transfusion laboratory is available 24 hours a day and can be contacted on Ext 2905/2906.
The laboratory can be found in East Block Level 1 at the rear of the building on the ground floor sign posted ‘Pathology – Blood Tests’
QEH
The Transfusion Laboratory is open 24 hours a day.
For Urgent samples the laboratory can be contacted internally on 3782. Outside hours contact Haematology by bleep 2475.
The laboratory can be found at the rear of the building on the ground floor, in area 4, the green section sign posted “Pathology & Blood Tests”. Urgent samples should be handed to a member of laboratory staff after contacting them by telephone. It is a locked department and so can only be contacted in this way.
EPA Network Blood Transfusion Manager: Eleanor Byworth
NNUH – Tracey McConnell or Sandra Ellis 01603 286906
JPUH – Marie Smith 01493 452443
QEH – Sandra Faloye 01553 613782
EWT-D-001 Last updated 06/02/2026 (8)