§ Mr. MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what consultations she has had with the director of the National Blood Authority in relation to stocks of blood held; what statistics she has on the average number of days' supply of blood available during each of the past five years; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. SackvilleThe Department is in regular contact with the National Blood Authority, which is responsible for monitoring and managing the blood supply. From figures available centrally for the last 12 months the average stock figure nationally has been 19,871 units. Based on the experience of nationally held blood stock figures since 1988 the NBA regards 18,000 units as the stock which enables them to comfortably manage demand from hospitals. Blood stock figures for previous years are not available centrally.