Adjournment debate on the government's decision to consider
privatising parts of the NHS Blood Service
15 March 2011
At 1.30pm today (15 March) Jim Dobbin MP will lead an
adjournment debate on the government's decision to consider
privatising parts of the NHS Blood Service.
Health minister Anne Milton has confirmed that an in-depth
review will be commissioned into opportunities to make the NHS
Blood Service more commercially effective. The NHS Blood Service
has also confirmed that it is not ruling out the privatisation of
parts of the blood service.
A Unite petition opposing privatisation of the Service has been
signed by 36,000 people from across England and Wales.
Unite assistant general secretary, Jennie Bremner said: "People
have been shocked to learn the Department of Health is considering
allowing the private sector to profit from their blood. 36,000
people have signed Unite's petition opposing the privatisation of
the NHS Blood service but the NBS’ board will not rule out
privatisation of parts of the service. Donors help save the lives
of hundreds of thousands of people every year by giving blood. It's
absolutely wrong for private companies to profit from this very
special service."
ENDS
Contact: Ciaran Naidoo on 07768 931 315
