Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, in the context of the increase in demand from sickle cell disease patients, whether her Department is taking steps to encourage donors of Black heritage to give blood.

NHS Blood and Transplant has regular planned activity to recruit more black heritage donors. It has improved access to blood donation appointments to attract more donors through providing priority appointments and opening more sessions in London where there are higher black heritage populations.

During Black Heritage Month, NHS Blood and Transplant has launched a new campaign ‘Not Family, But Blood’ to encourage more blood donors of black heritage by highlighting the number of donations needed to treat sickle cell patients. NHS Blood and Transplant will share statistics and donor and patient stories in print and digital channels during the campaign.

NHS Blood and Transplant is also launching the fifth Community Investment Scheme in November. The Scheme aims to increase support for donation amongst black, Asian, mixed heritage and minority ethnic communities. The Scheme funds community and faith and belief organisations to improve awareness, understanding and behaviour change.