Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what communications have been issued by the NHS in England about the immunoglobulin shortage to patient groups supporting people with immunodeficiency; and whether the NHS in England has communicated directly with patients to explain the situation and how it will affect them.

With the input of clinicians, professional bodies and patient groups, NHS England and NHS Improvement and the UK Primary Immunodeficiency Network have developed a patient information leaflet which was issued to National Health Service trusts on 8 November 2021, with a request to discuss and share with patients as part of individual clinical conversations. NHS England and NHS Improvement have also shared the leaflet with patient groups to circulate to affected members.

The patient information leaflet highlights that, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, fewer people have been able to donate blood, which has impacted the availability of immunoglobulin products both globally and in the United Kingdom. The patient information leaflet also explains what the impact of the global shortage of immunoglobulin products may mean for UK patients and how they can access support. A copy of the patient leaflet, Immunoglobulin replacement therapy: Information for patients from the NHS and the UK Primary Immunodeficiency Network is attached.