Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the effect of the covid-19 outbreak on levels of blood donation.

Demand for blood decreased by around one third at the outset of the coronavirus pandemic but has returned to normal levels. NHS Blood and Transplant’s blood collection levels have been impacted by the requirement to make the blood sessions COVID-19 secure and shortfalls in staffing levels in some areas. NHS Blood and Transplant has increased its capacity for blood collection by recruiting more staff and opening new temporary blood collection centres.

The situation is monitored daily and NHS Blood and Transplant has continued to fulfil hospitals’ orders.