The British society of Haematology guidelines on the use of irradiated components states "irradiated components are required for life for all patients receiving Cladribine, regardless of diagnosis".

The Transfusion Team have learned that this also applies to MS patients who are currently being treated with Cladribine, or who may have been treated with it in the past. They will always require irradiated components.

To ensure the correct blood component specification is received by this group of patients, please complete a special requirements notification form, which you can get from the transfusion laboratory, and return the fully completed form to sam.kershaw@cht.nhs.uk and transfusionlab@cht.nhs.uk 

Failure to provide the correct blood components is an MHRA reportable incident.