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Written question asked by Bell Ribeiro-Addy (Labour) on Thursday, 16 July 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 3 September 2026 (named day). It was answered by Diana Johnson (Labour) on Thursday, 3 September 2026 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.

Blood: Donors

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, With reference to the answer recieved on the 30th April 2025 to question 45858 on Blood: Donations, whether he will provide a progress update on work to evaluate potential new tests for infections.

Answer

NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) is responsible for blood donation services in England.

Blood donor selection guidelines are developed by the Joint United Kingdom Blood Transfusion and Tissue Transplantation Services Professional Advisory Committee (JPAC), which reviews evidence on disease outbreaks worldwide, including travel-related risks.

Assessment of a donor’s travel history helps reduce the risk of transfusion-transmitted infections. NHSBT implements JPAC’s guidelines and works with JPAC, the UK Health Security Agency, and the Advisory Committee on the Safety of Blood, Tissues and Organs to ensure blood safety.

NHSBT routinely monitors developments in science and technology to assess whether innovations could further improve blood safety and sufficiency and/or the donor experience.

Since January 2026, NHSBT has been evaluating two new commercial malaria tests to assess whether they may be suitable for blood donor screening. Current UK guidelines require malaria screening using serological testing. Any changes to donor testing or eligibility requirements would need to be supported by robust scientific evidence, a cost-benefit analysis, and consideration through the established UK governance processes.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
19452
Session
2026-27
Related items
Blood: Donors
Wednesday, 30 April 2025
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects
Travel Blood Donors Infectious diseases Testing
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk