Mixed reaction to blood storage and delivery plans

Blood donors and donees in West Berkshire are divided over plans to make blood and organ storage more profitable

BLOOD donors and donees across West Berkshire have given mixed reaction to news that private companies have held talks with the Department of Health (DoH) over plans to make blood and organ storage and distribution more profitable.

Collection of blood and organs would likely still be run by the NHS, amid fears private firms could make money from extraction, a practice denounced in a 25,000 signature petition by the union Unite, which over 3,000 people across the south east have signed.

However a new review led by the DoH, published by the Health Service Journal, has revealed that the storage of blood and organs and their delivery around the country could be sold off.

Doug Bailey, aged 65, from Newbury, received a kidney donation from his wife Kathleen mere months before they married in 2005, and said he was horrified that companies could seek to profiteer from such a sensitive area.

“I would be horrendously against it,” he said.

“Once you start getting companies who need to turn a profit involved it could lead us somewhere quite unpleasant. It would lead to people needing to take out insurance and the health service in this country becoming more like America.”

Alan Pook, aged 72, of Monkswood Close, Newbury, has given blood over 100 times in his life.

He said as long as the matter got where it needed to be he would likely turn a blind eye.

“I give blood because of the benefit to other people. As long as people aren't suffering because of a lack of blood then it would not be a problem,” he said.

Mr Bailey's views were echoed by Derek Lonorgan, aged 73, of Padworth, who said he had given over 100 pints, and had received two.

“Once private companies start getting involved, will they sell the blood to the NHS? Once you start involving private companies they are in it to make a profit, it's not very clear what would happen,” he said.

However Gareth Teidman, aged 49, of Thornfield, Headley, who has given 101 pints, and 341 platelets, said the practice was common in other countries and not frowned upon.

“It wouldn't make me stop, I go to give blood and do my part. I could be involved in a major accident or something like that tomorrow, and I'd need blood, you have to look at it that way,” he said.

A statement released by the DoH said: “We are not considering any functions that could risk destabilising the current national donor system, particularly the interface with donors. Any options that are identified will be considered very carefully before a final decision is made by ministers”.