For some time now SSCBB have been involved in delivering material used in faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) but what is it?

FMT is the transfer of processed faecal material from a healthy individual to one with disease. The purpose of the treatment is that the disease being treated, Clostridium difficile (CDI) is primarily related to an imbalance in the gut microbiome which can be corrected by FMT. In simple terms with CDI the patient has an imbalance of good and bad bacteria in their gut. By taking faecal material from a healthy gut, processing it and using it to treat the patient that balance can be corrected. Doesn’t sound nice but neither is the alternative, CDI is life threatening with a 30% mortality rate, even higher amongst the young and the elderly but with treatment there is a 90% success rate.

SSCBB are proud to have taken on the role of working with the team at the University of Birmingham. Currently they are the only location with a licence to process and provide this treatment. Our role is to act as the transport control for this vital treatment. We will either undertake the delivery ourselves or working with other Blood Bike groups set up relays to deliver anywhere in the country and the number of jobs we undertake is increasing year on year.