Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to increase the awareness of the need to donate (a) blood, (b) plasma and (c) platelets to NHS Blood and Transplant.

NHS Blood and Transplant raises awareness of blood, plasma and platelet donation in England through a range of media, marketing activity, donor and patient case studies, partnerships and engagement with business, charities and faith organisations. This is in addition to donor recruitment campaigns and events such as ‘What’s Your Blood Type’, which are held in the community.

These campaigns aim to increase awareness of donations to ensure that the right blood components are available for all patients, including platelet and plasma components and plasma for medicines for patients with complex needs. In addition, NHS Blood and Transplant continues to invest in the diversification of the blood donor base to support patients and reduce health disparities.