Work Package 8:
Haem-Match Feasibility Study

We have developed a prototype of BloodMatcher, a computational device to suggest which units in NHSBT stock may be a better match for a patient. We have tested this extensively on historical blood orders from hospitals with great success. In February 2026 we submitted for ethical approval a feasibility study of BloodMatcher.

40 consented participants will take part in a study to show how this system can perform in the clinical environment. Following this, we will seek funding and ethical approval to perform a multi-centre study to assess whether extended red cell matching improves treatment outcomes relative to the present system.

If the multi-centre study shows a benefit large enough to justify the cost of a new system, then with NHSBT we will seek to initiate the changes required to update the standard of care in the NHS.