§ Mr. SpearingTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what financial structures exist between regional and district health authorities and the National Blood Authority for meeting variations in general trends in demand and supply of blood in the national health service; and what are the current price levels for blood transferred between them.
§ Mr. SackvilleNational health service hospital trusts' contract with blood transfusion centres for the supply of blood, and fluctuations in supply and demand, are managed through the contracting process. Handling charges, which cover only the local transfusion centres' operating costs, are paid by hospitals for blood supplied. Handling charges are also paid for transfers between transfusion centres at a standard rate. There is never any charge for the blood itself which is freely given by our volunteer donors.