Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent steps his Department has taken to encourage people to become blood donors.

Since September 2021, the science relating to blood, organ and stem cell donation is taught as part of the secondary school curriculum in England, aimed at promoting awareness in young people. NHS Blood and Transplant use a range of media, marketing activity, donor and patient case studies, partnerships and engagement with faith organisations to raise awareness. Its Community Investment Scheme committed £400,000 to support 35 grassroot, community and faith-based organisations to increase awareness, understanding and behaviour change.

NHS Blood and Transplant is also diversifying the donor base, in particular, increasing donors of black heritage.