PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Blood: Donors (20 June 2023)

The Department works with NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) as it continues its work towards recruiting and retaining more blood donors from ethnic minority backgrounds. Diversifying the donor base is a key priority for NHSBT to address health disparities and ensure patients from all backgrounds can receive the best matched blood.

Work to increase the supply of Ro Kell negative blood type includes increased investment into targeted marketing and engagement. NHSBT launched its ‘Not Family but Blood’ campaign in October 2022, aimed at recruiting more black heritage blood donors and this year launched the #GivingType campaign for National Blood Week.

In addition, the Community Grants Programme funds community and faith/belief organisations to drive awareness, understanding and behaviour change around donation. More than £1.7 million has invested in grassroots organisations promoting blood, organ, and tissue donation since 2018.

Most recently National Blood Week (NBW) has driven over 700 registrations to donate whole blood from people of Black heritage. Sickle Cell Awareness Day followed directly after NBW with a further 77 registrations from people of Black heritage, nearly double NHSBT’s daily average of registrations from this group’.