Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he has taken to work with relevant organisations to increase blood donations in (a) England and (b) Romford constituency.

NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) is responsible for blood donation in England.

Throughout the year, NHSBT produces advertising campaigns to attract new donors, such as the new gift of blood winter stocks campaign for 2024. As part of this work, NHSBT partners with organisations to utilise their expertise and national resources to increase blood donations. Notable examples of these partnerships include Disney, Dalgety Teas, Fulham Football Club, the Civil Service, National Health Service trusts, and integrated care boards.

In addition, NHSBT awards funds to community groups through its Community Grants Programme to promote blood donation. This funds community, and faith and belief organisations to drive awareness, understanding, and behaviour change. During the latest funding round, NHSBT awarded funds to 23 organisations to promote blood donation.

NHSBT’s physical and digital marketing, and collaboration and partnership, activity takes place across England, including in the Romford constituency.