To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the proposals of NHS Blood and Transplant, what steps she plans to take to ensure the (a) supervision, (b) security and (c) protection from contamination of fixed equipment for blood donations in (i) schools and (ii) other public buildings; and whether she proposes to indemnify schools against risks associated with storing such equipment. (104742)

NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) is responsible for managing blood supplies in England and north Wales. It does this through the National Blood Service (NBS).

The NBS use school sites all over the country with the agreement of local governing bodies. NBS has robust venue assessment procedures, signed off and approved by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Authority. Every site is evaluated for its clinical safety, donor safety, staff safety and public safety. Blood collection is not held in areas where children are taught. They are either in a separate area of the building, for example a shared community facility, or alternatively are held at times when the school is closed.

NBS does not plan to have fixed equipment installed on school sites. If separate storage facilities exist, NBS may arrange to hold basic equipment such as donation beds, tables and chairs. Again, the venue would be fully risk assessed for staff, donors and public. Storage facilities would be separate, locked and under NBS’ control. Blood packs containing needle sharps would be held separately in NBS temperature controlled facilities. During any blood collection session, any such equipment would be in the direct control of health care professionals.

In view of the above, the Department does not consider it necessary to indemnify schools against risks associated with storing equipment.