Blood Supplies (Hansard, 30 March 2004)

§ Mrs. Iris Robinson
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the implications are for Northern Ireland of the Department of Health's decision not to allow blood donations from those who received transfusions since 1980. [164920]

§ Angela Smith
The decision to exclude anyone who received a blood transfusion in the United Kingdom since 1980 from donating blood will apply in Northern Ireland with effect from 5 April 2004. This is expected to result in a 3.3 per cent. reduction in blood donations, reducing blood donations in Northern Ireland by about 2,300 units of blood per year. Measures are being planned to ensure that adequate blood supplies are maintained, including promotional campaigns and increased donor sessions.

§ Lady Hermon
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many donors he expects to be excluded from the blood donor register in Northern Ireland as a result of the recent decision to exclude recipients of blood transfusions from donating blood. [164352]

§ Angela Smith
The decision to exclude anyone who received a blood transfusion in the UK since 1980 from donating blood is expected to lead to a loss of 3.2 per cent. donors. In Northern Ireland this will exclude over 2,200 people who are currently registered as active donors.

§ Lady Hermon
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what discussions he has held with his colleagues in the Department of Health on the recent decision to exclude recipients of blood transfusions from donating blood. [164353]

§ Angela Smith
The decision to exclude anyone who received a blood transfusion in the United Kingdom since 1980 from donating blood was based on the advice of the Committee on Microbiological Safety of Blood and Tissues for Transplantation (MSBT). MSBT is convened by the Department of Health and acts as a UK wide advisory committee. It has two members from Northern Ireland, including a representative of the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety.

§ Lady Hermon
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the implications for Northern Ireland of the recent decision of the Secretary of State for Health to exclude recipients of blood transfusions from donating blood; whether such restrictions apply to Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement. [164354]

§ Angela Smith
The decision to exclude anyone who received a blood transfusion in the United Kingdom since 1980 from donating blood will apply in Northern Ireland, with effect from 5 April 2004. This precautionary measure to ensure the safety of blood has the potential to affect blood supplies. Measures are planned to ensure that adequate blood supplies are maintained and that blood is used appropriately.
1331W

§ Rev. Martin Smyth
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland by how much he expects the level of blood supplies will decrease following the recent decision to prohibit the acceptance of blood from those who have had blood transfusions. [163966]

§ Angela Smith
The decision to exclude anyone who received a blood transfusion in the UK since 1980 from donating blood is expected to result in a 3.3 per cent. reduction in blood donations. In effect this will reduce blood donations in Northern Ireland by about 2,300 units of blood per year. Measures are being planned to ensure that adequate blood supplies are maintained, including promotional campaigns and increased donor sessions.