Thrombosis UK’s response:

Our thoughts are with Sir Richard Branson and his family following the tragic death of his wife, Lady Joan, from a blood clot.

Blood clots can be life-threatening, but many hospital-associated clots can be prevented. This is why Thrombosis UK has spent decades working to improve awareness, prevention and care for people at risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE).

Our campaigning helped secure the introduction in 2010 of a national requirement for patients admitted to hospital to be assessed for their risk of developing a blood clot. Where a patient is identified as being at increased risk, appropriate measures, including preventative anticoagulants where clinically indicated, can significantly reduce the risk.

This is an important advance, but having guidance and requirements in place is only part of the challenge. We need to ensure that risk assessment and prevention happen consistently, and that patients and healthcare professionals understand the risks and know what can be done to prevent these devastating events.

Lady Joan’s death is a tragic reminder of why this work matters. Thrombosis UK will continue to campaign for better prevention, raise awareness of the risks of blood clots and support patients and healthcare professionals with trusted information and education.

This study examined the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in peri- and postmenopausal women receiving hormone replacement therapy (HRT) with transdermal 17β-oestradiol and either micronised progesterone or the Mirena intrauterine system. Data from over 13,000 women treated at a private menopause clinic in 2023 were analysed. The incidence of VTE was found to be very low—0.054%—and did not exceed the expected risk for women of similar age in the general population. These results suggest that this form of HRT does not increase the risk of VTE and is generally safe for use.

An information and support resource for people affected by this rare and complex condition. Created by people with MPV-SVT and NHS professionals, in partnership with researchers.

Thrombosis UK is delighted to be partnering with NHS England to improve the prevention of blood clots in early pregnancy. This questionnaire is designed to help patients identify if they are at high risk of blood clots and give them the information required to discuss preventative anticoagulation with their healthcare professional.

January 2025 JTH

CANVECTOR are working to develop an international set of core outcomes for VTE research as shared in this video

Your help is needed to respond to a global survey – please, ‘click here’ to access.

HSSIB report published May 2025, identifying gaps in VTE risk assessment and prevention in mental health settings.

‘Medication not given: anticoagulation before and after a procedure.’ March 2025

Explore how cerebral venous sinus thrombosis is evolving, with new causes and treatments shaping patient care and research insights.

The investigation identified incidents where physical health monitoring had not prevented harm including: ‘where patients had developed blood clots contributed to by inactivity and dehydration.’ [2.2.25]

Community representatives’ views of their use. Published in Future Healthcare Journal 2023 Vol 10, No 3: 291–5 

A community-led multi-cycle quality improvement project. Published in Future Healthcare Journal 2023 Vol 10, No 3: 301–5.

First study of its kind investigates the experiences of individuals with MPN-SVT and the healthcare professionals who care for them.

Paul Bennett¹, Filiz Celik², Jenna Winstanley³, Beverley J Hunt⁴, Sue Pavord⁵

Paul Bennett; Filiz Celik; Jenna Winstanley; Beverley J Hunt; Sue Pavord.

A qualitative study

A systematic review

Abdullah Pandor¹, Jahnavi Daru², Beverley J Hunt³, Gill Rooney⁴, Jean Hamilton⁴, Mark Clowes⁴, Steve Goodacre⁴, Catherine Nelson-Piercy³, Sarah Davis⁴

A systematic review and economic evaluation to estimate the value of future research

Patrice, Carter; Ahmet, Fuat; Sylvia, Haas; Elizabeth, Smyth; Carlos, Brotons

A national retrospective cohort study

Researchers have identified platelets that are generated in ageing bodies and may help explain why blood cells beome more prone to clotting with age.