NHS Hospitals: Apheresis

Lord Evans of Rainow Excerpts

Wednesday 9th October 2024 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

I thank my noble friend for raising that important point. I will be very pleased to look into this further, so I can answer him in full.

[Lord Evans of Rainow (Con)]

My Lords, I pay tribute to the noble Baroness, Lady Ritchie, for her work in this area. In England, leukapheresis can be performed only by the NHS Manchester apheresis unit, and the Birmingham unit can carry out only three of the apheresis services. Are His Majesty’s Government committed to expanding the range of apheresis services available at each unit?

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

Further to my answer to the noble Baroness, NHS Blood and Transplant is seeking to expand capacity in the way I outlined. It is probably worth going back to the point about the apheresis working group. It met for the first time last month to determine the extent of the capacity issues which we know exist. It will also be looking at who delivers what, how and for what uses. It will identify the issues in respect of workforce, machinery, finance and efficiency, and seek to come up with a recommendation. It will report in spring of next year, so we have a route forward.