1. CONTROL

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1. All decisions of a medical nature are to be taken by the doctor appointed by The Blood Care Foundation in consultation with the doctor treating the member and, where possible, with the member’s usual doctor.

 

2. DEFINITIONS

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1. “Blood” as used in this Agreement means whole blood, concentrated red cells in an optimal additive solution or any other appropriate red cell component

2. “BCF” as used in this Agreement means “The Blood Care Foundation”,

3. a charity registered and subject to the laws of England and Wales.

4. “Emergency” as used in this Agreement means any medical event which is unexpected or could not be reasonably predicted taking into account the member’s pre-existing medical conditions.

5. “Equipment” as used in this Agreement means the sterile equipment needed for transfusion purposes.

6. “PEP” as used in this Agreement means “Post Exposure Prophylaxis” whether this be with rabies vaccine or a combination of rabies vaccine and human rabies immunoglobulin (HRIg)

 

3. PURPOSE AND OBLIGATIONS

 

1. The purpose of the Blood Care Programme is to ensure the availability to members of screened blood and/or PEP, in emergency situations anywhere in the world where such supplies are not readily available.​
2. Subject to confirmation by the BCF doctor and the treating doctor or the doctor representing the travel insurers or their medical assistance agent that blood is required, BCF undertakes to deliver the blood required by the member in an emergency situation to the hospital in which the member is being treated. If this is not possible the blood will be delivered to the nearest airstrip used by scheduled carriers.
3. Subject to confirmation by the BCF doctor that PEP is required, BCF undertakes to arrange for PEP to be made available at the nearest BCF approved Administration Centre.

 

4. EXCLUSIONS

 

1. The Blood Care Programme is designed to cover emergency situations only. It is not designed to meet the needs of elective surgery or bleeding arising as a consequence of any known pre-existing disorder and no coverage is afforded herein for such conditions.

2. BCF will not normally provide blood under its Blood Care Programme if the requirement arose as a result of:

 

4.2.1 Elective surgery

 

4.2.2 Known pre-existing disorders. This exclusion shall not apply if the need for blood results from any medical emergency, not resulting from the known pre-existing disorder and not otherwise excluded, which may befall the member and over which he/she has no control.

 

4.2.3 War, invasion, act of foreign enemy, hostilities (whether war be declared or not) civil war, rebellion, revolution, insurrection or military or usurped power. However, in the event a member involuntarily becomes involved in situations described in this exclusion and as a result requires blood for an emergency transfusion, then BCF agrees to use its best efforts to obtain at the request of the member or his/her representative, blood and the equipment for the transfusion. 

 

4.2.4 Nuclear reaction or radiation either directly or indirectly.

 

4.2.5 Attempted suicide or self-inflicted injury. 

 

4.2.6 Active service in the armed forces of any nation.

 

4.2.7 Engagement in hazardous pursuits.

 

4.2.8 Pregnancy beyond the end of the twenty-fourth week.

 

4.2.9 Travel undertaken against medical advice.

 

4.3 BCF will not supply blood to members within their national country unless
it is deemed that evacuation is necessary (whether such evacuation is made or not).

 

5. SPECIAL CONDITIONS

 

1. BCF will do its utmost to ensure that the selection, transportation and storage arrangements of the blood and/or PEP supplied to members is carried out to the highest possible standards. The member, for his/her part agrees to hold BCF and its appointed agents harmless if, for any reason beyond the control of BCF or its appointed agents, the blood, equipment and/or PEP supplied is contaminated on arrival or not fit for the purposes for which it was intended, or the quantity available is insufficient or harm arises following the transfusion or administration of PEP.

2. In the event of an emergency, BCF will use all available means of communication and transportation by scheduled carrier in order to fulfil its obligations as specified under Section 1. above, but cannot accept any responsibility whatsoever for breakdown, delay or absence of any of the necessary services beyond its control.

 

6. SUBROGATION

 

1. BCF shall subrogate up to the amount of Services it has provided to the rights and causes of action of the member to any party for acts giving rise to injury or illness for which BCF has rendered Services.

2. Should Services provided by BCF be covered in whole or in part by an insurance policy, then BCF will be subrogated to rights and recourse of the member against the said company.

 

7. VALIDITY

 

1. Unless indicated to the contrary, membership of the Blood Care Programme is valid for a period of 12 months. Renewal is on an annual basis and is automatically revalidated upon receipt of the renewal fee.

2. Membership will be effective from the date of receipt by BCF or its appointed agent of a fully completed and signed application form, with the appropriate fee.

 

8. CANCELLATION

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1. It is agreed that BCF may cancel this agreement by giving the member written or facsimile notice when, not less than fifteen days thereafter, such notice shall become effective. BCF agrees to refund to the member the pro-rata portion of the fee charged.
2. The member may cancel at any time by giving BCF written or Facsimile notice, but there will be no refund of the annual fee.​​