§ Mr. DobsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list any regional blood transfusion centres which have since 1982(a) experienced a shortage of supplies and (b) been unable to supply blood to National Health Service hospitals; and what was the duration of the interruption of supply in each case.
§ Mrs. CurrieSince 1982 no emergency surgery has been suspended because of shortages of blood from the national blood transfusion service. It is for regional transfusion directors to advise hospitals whether blood for elective surgery is to be restricted, and this information is not held centrally. We are aware that shortages of blood for elective surgery have occurred in London primarily because of its many specialist hospitals.
§ Mr. DobsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list, by regional transfusion centre, the units of blood supplied to non-National Health Service hospitals since 1982.
§ Mrs. CurrieThe figures held centrally for units of blood supplied from regional transfusion centres to non-NHS hospitals since 1982 are as follows:
Regional Blood Transfusion Center 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 Northern 0 2,236 1,739 1,722 1,678 Yorkshire 0 0 950 1,589 2,443 Trent 331 102 2 0 20 East Anglia 2,078 1,864 1,690 1,758 1,655 North West Thames 14,580 19,439 22,413 21,512 21,955 North East Thames 6 0 0 0 127 South East and South West Thames 9,141 10,174 10,433 13,885 17,857 Wessex 0 257 1,342 2,333 2,523 Oxford 1 1 1 1 1 South Western 1,259 1,241 4,338 4,032 2,315 West Midlands 2,628 3,512 3,601 4,431 10,154 Mersey 0 0 0 0 0 North Western 1,414 1,961 2,724 3,065 3,313 England 31,437 40,786 49,232 54,327 64,040 1 Oxford have previously been included as a "nil return". It is now thought that this may be incorrect and is being followed up.