Blood group genotyping

Improving blood matching for people living with anaemias

World-class programme in partnership with NHS England to better match blood groups for people living with inherited anaemias, like sickle cell disorder and thalassemia.

Many people living with anaemias rely on regular blood transfusions to survive and lead pain free lives.

They need blood for their treatment that closely matches their own - the better the match, the better the treatment.

Starting in autumn 2023, using a new test called blood group genotyping, we will be able to identify more blood groups in people living with anaemias to make sure the blood is the best possible match.

More information

Please select if you are a patient, or hospital and lab staff and we'll direct you to the relevant information:

For patients

Information and resources for people with anaemias looking to take part.

Advice for patients

For hospital and lab staff

Information and resources for hospital and lab staff involved in matching blood for patients.

Advice for clinicians

Organisations involved

The genotyping programme would not be possible without a new testing array developed by the Blood Transfusion Genomics Consortium (BGC), an international partnership.

The National Institute for Health and Care Research has (NIHR) provided critical funding and support for the BGC including through the NIHR Research Units at NHS Blood and Transplant and the NIHR BioResource.

The BGC is also financially supported by organisations including NHS Blood and Transplant, University College London Hospitals, and Cambridge University Hospitals.