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<p>NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) is responsible for the collection, manufacturing
and issuing of blood products to the NHS in England. NHSBT needs to collect more than
6,000 blood donations every day to treat patients in need across England.</p><p> </p><p>NHSBT
undertake a range of activities to drive recruitment of around 200,000 new donors
each year to off-set donors who can longer donate for reasons such as illness, travel
or pregnancy. In addition, NHSBT has undertaken work to change its donor base to better
reflect the needs of NHS patients. In particular, it is working to recruit a significant
number of new blood donors from a black African or black Caribbean background.</p><p>
</p><p>Initiatives to support this goal have included work with black Christian churches
across England, to encourage more black donors to register, book an appointment and
give blood. NHSBT continues to work with black Asian and minority ethnic charity partners,
including the Islamic Unity Society and Sewaday to promote registration drives and
publicise sessions. It has also carried out Know Your Type events in high population
Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic areas where individuals can learn their blood type
with a finger prick test and be encouraged to book an appointment to donate.</p><p>
</p><p>NHSBT has continued this promotion in 2018 with the B Positive choir, which
was created by NHSBT. The members include blood donors and blood recipients, people
who have blood-related medical conditions such as sickle cell disease, their families,
friends and people who work with blood.</p><p> </p><p>NHSBT is currently implementing
the ‘Taking Organ Transplantation to 2020: A UK Strategy’ which was launched in 2013.
The strategy aims to achieve world class performance in organ donation and transplantation.
It was developed by NHSBT and the four United Kingdom Health Departments. The strategy
set the agenda for increasing organ donation and transplantation rates to world class
standards over the next few years.</p><p> </p><p>There is an urgent shortage of organs
for people from all backgrounds. The problem is particularly acute for black, Asian
and minority ethnic patients. These patients are over-represented on the waiting list.
They are more likely to need an organ transplant than the rest of the population as
they are more susceptible to illnesses such as diabetes and hypertension, which could
result in organ failure. NHSBT is running a number of projects and engaging with stakeholders
to address this issue.</p><p> </p><p>During Organ Donation Week 2018 NHSBT and the
Department announced a community investment scheme to break down myths and barriers
and increase support for organ donation among black, Asian and ethnic minority communities.
Community and faith-based groups from across England and Wales were invited to apply
for funding for projects to promote organ donation. An estimated £115,000 has been
made available for projects in England in the first year of the scheme.</p><p> </p><p>Despite
these efforts, there are over 5,000 people on a transplant waiting list in England.
To address this challenge, in October 2017, the Prime Minister announced plans to
increase organ donation by shifting the balance of presumption in favour of organ
donation. The new system which is expected to start from 2020 is expected to save
hundreds more lives.</p>
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