§ Mr. WigleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the impact of shortages of blood in the blood donation service in Wales on hospital waiting lists for operations in the last 12 months. [37672]
§ Mr. Win GriffithsThere has been only one occasion in the last 12 months, for a period of 48 hours, when a shortage of blood led to NHS Trusts in the Welsh Blood Service's area being advised to postpone elective surgery. It is difficult to assess accurately the impact on hospital waiting lists but it is likely to represent less than 1 per cent. of the NHS Wales activity and I expect NHS Trusts to rectify this as soon as possible. There have been no similar occurrences in North Wales.