Advisory Committee on the Safety of Blood, Tissues and Organs (SaBTO)

The Committeee's terms of reference are:

Remit

The Committee will advise Ministers of the UK Government and the Devolved Administrations as well as UK Health Departments on the most appropriate ways to ensure the safety of blood, cells, tissues and organs for transfusion / transplantation. Its remit includes providing independent advice on:

• the microbiological safety of gametes and stem cells, in liaison with the relevant regulatory authorities; and
• risk management options for Ministers and UK Health Departments to consider.

Terms of Reference

In formulating its advice, the Committee will:

• take into account sufficiency of supply, and the need to maintain adequate supplies of blood, cells (including gametes and stem cells), tissues and organs of appropriate quality;
  
  
• consider the efficacy of transfusion / transplantation and consider the cost-effectiveness of interventions, including the introduction of new safety measures and/or the reduction, phasing out or withdrawal of current measures;
  
  
• interpret and where appropriate, commission risk assessments from a wide range of sources, including DH and Health Protection Agency (HPA) Analysts, UK Blood Services, other advisory committees such as the Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee (SEAC), and independent researchers;
  
  
• take full account of scientific uncertainty and assumptions used in reaching conclusions, and clearly convey the nature and extent of such uncertainties with its advice;
  
  
• identify where research to reduce uncertainty is most urgently required, and where possible identify specific research needs;
  
  
• ensure that the guidance of the committee is consistent with relevant legislation, (including EU Directives on Blood, cells, tissues and organs) in conjunction with the relevant competent authorities; and
  
  
• consider the potential impact of its advice on both donors and recipients.

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