The SWIFT trial is led by NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) and will involve ten air ambulance charities across the country in partnership with the Ministry of Defence and Air Ambulances UK.

Watch College fellow and trial co-lead Dr Laura Green talk about the aims of the trial. 

 

If the trial shows patient benefit, it could reduce trauma deaths in civilian accidents and also on the battlefield, and in any situation where delaying a transfusion by seconds or minutes could be critical.

Commenting on the new trial by NHSBT and Air Ambulances to transfuse whole blood to help improve civilian and military trauma care, Professor Mike Osborn, President of the Royal College of Pathologists said:

"It is fantastic to see College Fellows from NHS Blood and Transplant working in partnership with colleagues at Air Ambulance and Ministry of Defence on the new SWIFT trial.

The results from the SWIFT trial have the potential to revolutionise how blood transfusion is provided in the treatment of civilian trauma accidents and for on battlefield injuries through the transfusion of a single blood product. The trial could also demonstrate a reduction in the need for blood to critically injured patients who are at risk of bleeding to death, improving their chances of survival."