Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to NHS Blood and Transplant’s comments on blood transfusions published on 29th January 2019, what steps his Department is taking to reduce congestion at Channel ports to ensure the continuity of blood donor sessions in the event that the UK leaves the EU (a) with a Withdrawal Agreement and (b) without a deal.

The Department continues to work closely with cross-Government agencies and NHS Blood and Transplant to ensure that there is no disruption to the supply of blood and blood components in any European Union exit scenario.

NHS Blood and Transplant will collect blood in Kent as usual and will hold the same number of appointments. NHS Blood and Transplant will be collecting the same amount of blood to ensure continued supply of blood to hospitals.