§ Lady HermonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many registered blood donors there are in Northern Ireland; what the equivalent figures were for each year since 2000; and if he will make a statement on the steps he is taking to increase such figures. [156946]
§ Angela SmithIn 2003–04 there were 69,837 active donors in Northern Ireland compared with 68,049 active donors in 2002–03.
Due to changes in the interpretation of active donor numbers, comparable data are unavailable for previous years.
The Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion Service has an ongoing promotional campaign, including advertising in newspapers and on radio and buses, to encourage existing donors and recruit new donors. Currently three mobile units operate each day and blood is also collected at the HQ facility. Opening hours at the HQ facility are to be extended to allow further opportunities to donate.