Blood transfusions for people with Haematological conditions are done in Haematology Day Stay.

Most people will require 2 units (bags) of blood and each bag takes about 2 hours to infuse.

Before a transfusion can take place, a special sample of blood, called a cross Match, needs to be sent to the Auckland City Hospital Blood bank, so that the right blood can be matched for the patient.  Cross Matches can be taken at a Diagnostic Medlab and sent to Auckland City Hospital.

If you have never received blood before or longer than 3 months previously, there is a 7 day time period that the blood must be transfused in. 

However if you have had a transfusion within that 3 month period, the transfusion must be completed within 72 hours of the cross match being taken.