Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the appropriateness of NHS Blood and Transplant continuing to be a paid member of Stonewall.

The Department supports Arm’s Length Bodies to define the appropriate policies to support equality, diversity, and inclusion, to align with the Government’s Health Mission and priorities, and make health and social care accessible to all.

NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) is committed to championing and promoting equal opportunity for those donating blood, including by: lifting the blood donation ban for men who have sex with men in 2021; encouraging more LGBT+ people to help save and improve lives by giving blood and joining the NHS Organ Donor Register; and making NHSBT a more inclusive place to work.

NHSBT continues to keep all its memberships under review, to ensure they best meet the needs of the organisation and benefit the public and patients they serve.