Written question WQ84310
- Asked by
- Andrew RT DaviesConservative
- To be answered by
- Minister for Health and Social Services
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 7 days
Question
Will the Minister make a statement on trends in blood donation in Wales over the last 5 years?
Answer
Answered by Minister for Health and Social Services
The tables below show the demand, supply and collection of blood over the last 5 years. During the COVID-19 pandemic, demand for blood by our hospitals declined slightly due to reduced activity and hence the Welsh Blood Service (WBS) has collected less due to operating restrictions during this time. It has however, continued to match demand for the patients of Wales.
Since the start of the pandemic, the WBS has made changes to maintain a steady supply and ensure the highest safety standards are in place, including introducing social distancing, additional PPE and enhanced cleaning of the clinical environments.
Working closely with hospitals and with the support of donors and advocates across Wales, the WBS has been able to maintain supply and support additional programmes such as the international plasma trials and the UK introduction of a new donation eligibility criteria.
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
Red cells issued to hospitals
85,883
85,225
82,138
74,156
75,587
Usable donations collected processed and tested
89,004
93,260
89,062
77,198
78,181
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
Venues
342
348
344
241
106
Clinics
1,060
1,273
1,187
1,040
1,174