§ Dr. FoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the work of the Liverpool Blood Centre. [84032]
§ Ms BlearsIn 1999, the Government made a commitment to develop and expand the Liverpool Blood Centre. A new building to house the Liverpool Blood Centre is currently under construction. The centre at Estuary Commerce Park in Speke, Garston will replace the existing premises adjacent to the Royal Liverpool University Hospital. Completion of the construction phase is expected by mid-October 2003, and occupation is anticipated in summer 2004.
Almost all services currently carried out at the existing premises will transfer to the new centre. Those services that have to be carried out in a hospital environment will remain at the Royal Liverpool Hospital. The new Liverpool Blood Centre will also house, for the first time, the largest National Blood 903W Service tissue banking facility in the United Kingdom. Research and development facilities at the new centre will support both tissue banking and tissue engineering.