Amicus: NHSBT ‘unclear’ over reasons for blood centre closures

Health workers union Amicus has stated that the reasons for moves by NHS Blood and Transport (NHSBT) for the reorganisation of the blood service have not been properly transmitted to the unions and affected communities.

NHSBT recently announced that it would publish its strategy for a reform of the blood service, reporting that it has been “very open” regarding plans for change, stating that hospitals are paying ?70 million more for blood than they were a few years ago, sparking a need for greater efficiency.

An Amicus spokesperson commented that the unions and affected communities had not been properly consulted by NHSBT over the proposed moves.

“We want to pull them to task and ask them to justify it. We want them to say how, if they close the blood centres, the areas affected will be served.”

Amicus has announced support for a balloted strike over the plans to consolidate the operations of 14 centres into three, with proposed investment in modernising the processing and testing of blood.

It reported that 81 per cent of its members support plans for industrial action to protest against the NHSBT proposals.