Battlefield blood transfusions enter drone warfare era via military-NHS partnership
The military and the NHS have agreed a new partnership to work closer together on developing battlefield blood transfusions in the era of drone warfare.
Defence Medical Command and NHS Blood and Transplant have signed a strategic partnership which will see them working closely to improve how these life-saving procedures can be carried out during conflict.
The new partnership will see them collaborating in several areas including the storage and delivery of vital supplies to forces in the field as well as trials to use drones to deliver blood for transfusion.
Air Marshal Clare Walton, Chief Defence Medical, said: "It has been an honour to visit the NHS Blood and Transplant centre at Filton and see the amazing work that is being done to deliver this critical service to the nation.
"I can think of no better place to sign this strategic agreement which represents a significant step forward in strengthening the partnership between defence and NHS Blood and Transplant.
"By bringing together operational expertise and clinical excellence, we are enhancing our collective ability to deliver life-saving care in the most demanding environments and ensuring that the Armed Forces can rely on resilient, world-class blood support.
"This agreement will improve end-to-end blood management, drive research and innovation and improve the quality of training to our people. It will also enhance our ability to promote interoperability with allies."
She added: "Ultimately, this partnership underpins our commitment to providing the very best medical support to our people, wherever they serve."
The war in Ukraine has highlighted how innovation in battlefield trauma care is even more important in a new era of drone warfare where unmanned aircraft have killed more people than artillery.
This means that more care – such as blood transfusions – needs to be delivered closer to the frontline or at the point of injury.
Surgeon General Major General Phil Carter said: "Our shared aim is to deliver life-saving blood and plasma to injured service personnel in conflict zones as swiftly as possible. The partnership with NHS Blood and Transplant is a vital component of that mission.
"As a blood donor myself, I know that the Armed Forces are strong supporters of blood donation. It is perhaps the easiest way to save a life. We were, therefore, extremely proud to sign this agreement during National Blood Week."
Professor Renata Gomes, NHS Blood and Transplant Chief Scientific Officer, also a professor of veterans' health, added: "New research is often the result of long-standing collaborations between partners, such as NHSBT and Defence Medical Command, who share a common understanding.
"Innovation is needed. The nature of warfare is changing. In Ukraine, where drones now dominate the skies, making casualty evacuation even more difficult, care is needed closer to the injury. Blood services need to create new products to support frontline transfusion needs.
"We already play a critical role in supporting the UK's Armed Forces. Our unique national infrastructure and world-class research capability allows us, through this new agreement, to do far more."
Related topics
Join Our Newsletter
