Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to encourage people from ethnic minority backgrounds to donate blood.

The Department works with NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) as it continues its work towards recruiting and retaining more blood donors from ethnic minority backgrounds. Diversifying the donor base is a key priority for NHSBT, to address health disparities and ensure patients from all backgrounds can receive the best matched blood.

Work to increase the supply of Ro Kell negative blood type includes increased investment into targeted marketing and engagement. NHSBT launched its “Not Family but Blood” campaign in October 2022, aimed at recruiting more black heritage blood donors.

In addition, the Community Grants Programme funds community and faith/belief organisations to drive awareness, understanding and behaviour change around donation. In the Programme’s latest round, £440,000, including £40,000 from Anthony Nolan, was invested to support 39 organisations to raise awareness of organ, blood, and stem cell donation.