HC Deb 03 February 1988 vol 126 cc670-1W
Mr. Hanley

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is his estimate of the proportion and number of adults in Northern Ireland that would be suitable for blood donation.

Mr. Needham

About 75 per cent. of adults eligible (only adults in the 18 to 64 age group are considered eligible for blood donation); some 670,500 people.

Mr. Hanley

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what proportion and number of suitable adults give blood in Northern Ireland.

Mr. Needham

The information is not available in the form requested. Approximately 65,000 donations are collected each year which represents roughly one in 10 from suitable adults.

Mr. Hanley

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what proportion and number of suitable adults are needed to give blood to make Northern Ireland self-sufficient in blood-derived products.

Mr. Needham

Northern Ireland is self-sufficient apart from the blood product albumen. An increase in blood donations of about 10 per cent. — 6,500 — would be required to attain total self-sufficiency.

Mr. Hanley

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he will consider reducing the period between permitted donations of blood to four months from six, to ease the shortage of blood and blood-derived products, and to make Northern Ireland self-sufficient; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Needham

The Northern Ireland blood transfusion service already collects blood at four-monthly intervals from male donors. The service is striving to achieve total self-sufficiency through its programmes to increase both the number of donations and the plasma yield from donations.