Blood Transfusions for people with haematological conditions are done in the Haematology Day Ward.  Most people will require 2 - 3 units of blood and each bag takes about 2 hours to infuse.  Before a transfusion can take place a cross match blood test needs to be sent to Middlemore Hospital Blood Bank so that the right blood can be matched for the patient. 

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.

If you have had a transfusion within the last 3 months, the transfusion must be completed within 72 hours of the cross match being taken.