Expert Witness – Dr Joseph Sharif
Consultant Haematologist

Dr Joseph Sharif is a Consultant Haematologist at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust and NHS Blood and Transplant, and Honorary Senior Lecturer at The University of Manchester. He is a member of the working expert group for (SHOT) Serious Hazards of Transfusion, the UK haemovigilance scheme, providing specialist haemoglobinopathy expertise in the review of adverse events related to blood transfusion. He is a member of the British Society for Haematology General Haematology Task Force overseeing the publication of national guidelines and evidence-based clinical practice in the UK.

Dr Sharif’s clinical interests centre on the comprehensive management of haemoglobinopathies and red‑cell disorders, encompassing sickle‑cell disease, thalassaemia, inherited anaemias and disorders of iron metabolism. A particular focus is placed on transfusion safety and haemovigilance, with active investigation of adverse transfusion events such as alloimmunisation, haemolytic transfusion reactions, hyperhaemolysis and incompatible transfusions. Dr Sharif also provides clinical leadership in therapeutic apheresis, overseeing complex procedures that include emergency erythrocytapheresis and plasma‑exchange therapies. In addition, Dr Sharif is dedicated to developing and implementing robust systems, protocols and patient‑safety initiatives, specialising in special transfusion requirements, national safety‑reporting frameworks and service pathways for patients with complex transfusion needs.

Dr Sharif designed and led the implementation of The Manchester Sickle Cell Unit, the UK’s first 24-hour consultant-led emergency service dedicated to sickle cell management.
He also implemented a regional pathway for emergency access to automated red cell exchange across the North West of England. He is the clinical lead for the regional therapeutic apheresis service.

Dr Sharif is actively involved in clinical research as a co-investigator and principal investigator in national and international studies and clinical trials. He is the co-investigator for the TAPS-2 and TAPS-3 studies investigating the role of red cell exchange transfusion in sickle cell pregnancy.

Dr Sharif’s publications span the fields of transfusion medicine, haemoglobinopathies, and maternal haematology. His research focuses on optimising care for patients with sickle cell disease, including advanced apheresis techniques, prophylactic exchange transfusion in pregnancy, and the management of serious transfusion-related complications such as post-transfusion hyperhaemolysis. His work includes international consensus guidance, national cohort analyses, clinical safety, haemovigilance, and health technology assessment, with publications in peer-reviewed journals including Blood Advances, Haematologica, and Transfusion Medicine.

Dr Sharif is an Honorary Senior Lecturer at The University of Manchester, School of Medical Sciences. He regularly contributes to undergraduate and postgraduate education and has provided educational sessions at a national level. He is a committee member of the UK Forum for Haemoglobin Disorder and organises the education programme at national meetings.