THE BLOOD CARE FOUNDATION

Corporate Membership-Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is Corporate Membership?
A. Corporate Stand-by membership of the Blood Care Programme is designed to meet the needs of those companies which prefer to be reassured that all members of staff and their families are proteetedt by the services of the foundation at all times, without the administrative burden of individual registration. Membership cards beariting the conmpany's name and logo are provided by the Foundation for distribution to those employees and their family, members it wishes to be included in this Programme.

Q. How does it work?
A.When a patient needs assistance the treating doctor calls one of the Foundation's Alarm Centres. On receipt of a call, the Duty Medical Officer (DMO) will discuss the case with the treating physician. If the DMO and the treating physician consider the patient requires a blood transfusion, the DMO will arrange for a courier to collect blood from one of the Foundation's blood banks and take it to the hospital in which the patient is being treated. At no stage is the blood left unattended or entrusted to others. The courier is either a trauma-trained anaesthetist or a cardio-pulmonary, trained paramedic. All of the Foundation's couriers are capable of setting up a transfusion should this be required. If on tile other hand, the DMO and the treating physician agree that resuscitation fluids are sufficient to treat the patient's condition. the DMO will arrange for the required replacement fluids to be issued from one of the Foundations Regional Supply Points (RSI's). Each RSP contains supplies of sterile transfusion fluids and equipment and at present the Foundation has over one hundred and fifty RSPs throughout the world.

Q. Who is entitled to use the service?
A.Under this Programme, any person authorised by the company is entitled to request assistance directly from the Foundation. Ideally, this should be done on the patients behalf by the treating physician, a relative or a business colleague. The service may also be extended, at no extra cost, to cover company conferences, visitors or contractors.

Q. What are the benefits of Stand-by membership compared to Individual membership?
A. The main benefit is the knowledge that all members of staff are covered by the Foundation's services at all times. Other benefits include low administrative costs and the provision of ten transfusion packs, referred to as Up Country Packs (UCPs), which can be distributed to those localities where staff are felt to be at greatest risk. Additioiial UCP's are available subject to a small charge.

Q. How much does it cost?
A. The annual fee is £4,000 for the first 1,000 membership cards. These cards may be issued and withdrawn from memberss of staff as required, to ensure expatriates and travellers are covered at all times. Additional cards are available for a supplementary fee.

Q. How do we enrol?
A. Further information and membership details are available from Julian Bruce, Membership Director, who may be contacted on: 01293 425485; 01293 425488: oremail.