Today, Lothian MSP Miles Briggs accused the First Minister of “shirking responsibility” for funding cuts to Scotland’s blood donor service.
Under the SNP government the service has been slashed by 16 per cent since 2010 and is facing a further 13.5 per cent cut by 2021. This has led to concerns that services is in “critical” danger due to the increasing demand for blood and a fall in the number of donors.
During First Minister’s Question Time today, Nicola Sturgeon was asked by Miles Briggs about the SNP’s funding of the service and whether she would reconsider the cuts. But in her response she side-stepped the issue, and said funding was “a matter for NHS National Services Scotland”. She also failed to answer whether she would reconsider further funding reductions.
The Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service (SNBTS) predicts it will have to scale back its operations or do more private work to fill a growing budget gap. Lothian MSP and Scottish Conservative public health spokesman Miles Briggs said:
“Frankly, the First Minister’s response to the legitimate concerns that are being raised about the impact of funding cuts on the vital services was complacent and totally unsatisfactory. It is her government that is responsible for the funding of this critically important national service. To pretend that it is nothing to do with the SNP isn’t good enough.
“At a time when the blood donor service is under ever growing pressure from an increasing demand for blood and a falling number of donors, it is deeply alarming that the service itself is warning that Scottish Government cuts mean it will have to look at withdrawing some products and services. It is also very worrying that the service is also warning that cuts in NHS staff in laboratory services are risking the sustainability of hospital blood banks. I will continue to speak out on this subject and call for ministers to take on board the genuine concerns that exist.”
Donor services now in a ‘critical’ condition: http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/676914/donor-services-now-critical-condition
