Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what information he holds on the number of routine blood tests that have been delayed as a result of the distribution issues reported by Roche Diagnostics; what (a) steps he is taking and (b) the timeframe is to tackle that backlog; and if he will make a statement.

The Department does not hold information on routine blood test delays. However, NHS England and NHS Improvement advise that at no point have urgent blood tests been delayed or unavailable due to the distribution issue.

NHS England and NHS Improvement are working to ensure all shortage items are supplied promptly and that delivery schedules are returned to normal. They are working closely with Roche Diagnostics, and will continue to do so until all routine services have resumed, and any backlog of testing has been worked through.