THE Royal Bournemouth Hospital is helping to trial a new scheme that could transform the way blood stocks are managed in hospitals throughout the country.

It is one of three centres taking part in the NHS Blood and Transplant pilot, which will use electronic tracking systems that are already in place in some hospitals.

The idea is that the NHSBT will be able to monitor hospital stocks of blood and blood products on a “live” basis and send top-up deliveries automatically.

Details of all the blood stocks being supplied will also be provided on the delivery note, reducing paperwork for hospital staff.

The aim is to cut costs by reducing unnecessary deliveries and the amount of stock that goes out of date.

Tony Spotswood, chief executive of the Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals Trust, said: “We were one of the first NHS hospitals in the country to install electronic blood tracking in 2007.

“This project is a natural extension of our existing successful system which uses bar-coded patient wristbands, hand held devices and the labelling of patient blood samples.

“All of these help manage any transfusion in a safe and controlled manner.”

Lynda Hamlyn, chief executive of NHS Blood and Transplant, said: “This pilot is intended to demonstrate how two very different NHS organisations can work together to improve quality and treatment while still reducing costs to the NHS.”

The trial began in Blackpool in the summer and the Royal Bournemouth is the second hospital to join. Data will be collected from a further 10 hospitals.

It is part of NHSBT’s five-year strategy to further improve and modernise the blood service. The organisation has saved £34 million a year since 2009.

Local blood donations have been boosted thanks to the Daily Echo’s Mine’s a Pint campaign.

Anyone eligible to give blood is urged to make an appointment on blood.co.uk or ring 0300 123 2323.