Within the context of a national policy (if one is in place or as a stand-alone activity), hospitals and blood establishments should identify a haemovigilance lead person to be responsible for implementation of the haemovigilance system locally, establish lines of governance and communication, and allocate financial and human resources (staff with allocated time and responsibility, information technology resources). Local teams should be established to record, report, investigate and analyse adverse event data related to blood donation and transfusion. Leaders should facilitate and work collaboratively with all key stakeholders to bring about sustainable and tangible improvements in patient safety.