§ Mr. GalbraithTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what priority is given to the NHS over the private sector for obtaining blood; and if she will publish guidance on this.
§ Mr. SackvilleIt has always been the policy of the national health service to meet non-NHS hospitals' reasonable requests for blood on the basis of availability and clinical need. Private hospitals in this country, and private patients in NHS hospitals, use blood in very small quantities. NHS hospitals are constrained in that treatment for private patients must not be given to the detriment of NHS contracts. We see no need to issue further guidance.
§ Mr. GalbraithTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to ensure self-sufficiency in both blood and blood products for England.
§ Mr. SackvilleIn general, England has been self-sufficient in blood.
The EC directive which harmonises the licensing requirements for blood products promotes a policy of Community self-sufficiency in such products derived from the donations of voluntary and unpaid donors but 385W does not forbid importation. This is consistent with our long-standing policy of seeking self-sufficiency in blood products sourced from our own volunteer donors. Nevertheless, whilst promoting self-sufficiency we also recognise the clinical freedom of doctors to choose the product most suitable for an individual patient.
Some patients are receiving imported blood products where the clinician feels this is appropriate. The Bio Products Laboratory continues to make efforts to increase its share of the blood products market but the choice of product for the individual patient remains with the clinician.