Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of introducing non-cash incentives for voluntary blood donors on donation volumes.

NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) is responsible for blood services in England. NHSBT has a Donor Recognition Scheme (DRS) that thanks donors, using personalised emails at various milestones, digital badges, and for higher donation thresholds, distributes pin badges and formal certificates. Further information on the DRS is available at the following link:

https://www.blood.co.uk/the-donation-process/recognising-donors/

NHSBT’s strategic objective is to grow and diversify the donor base to meet evolving hospital needs, and to reduce health inequalities. To support this, the DRS is being reviewed. The new approach will shift the emphasis from recognition alone to retention, with a stronger focus on engaging newer donors. In the coming year, a series of pilots will shape a new donor recognition and retention proposition that will improve access and engagement of donors, and build a more sustainable donor base. These pilots will play a critical role in shaping a scheme that supports NHSBT’s goals of equitable access, long-term engagement, and sustainability in blood donation.