THE BLOOD CARE
FOUNDATION Corporate Membership-Frequently Asked QuestionsQ. 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: or email. | 
