Pickles: NHS has neglected blood bank (From Brentwood Weekly News)

Pickles: NHS has neglected blood bank

4:00pm Wednesday 30th January 2013 in News

MP ERIC Pickles has said he is “very disappointed” to hear services at a blood storage centre in Brentwood could change.

The Conservative politician has spoken out about the earmarked closure of the stock holding unit, at the Blood Centre, in Crescent Drive, Brentwood, announced by the Blood and Transplant section of the NHS in a bid to save cash.

Hospitals in Essex and London, including Broomfield and Southend, use the stock stationed at the centre.

However, the plans would see storage go to centres further away in Cambridge, Tooting and Colindale, while the donor suite in Brentwood would also move to another site in the town.

Reacting to the news, the Brentwood and Ongar MP said: “I’m very disappointed to hear the proposals for the Brentwood Blood Centre.

“I’ve asked for additional information to be sent to me, and have requested a meeting with managers from NHS Blood and Transplant to discuss the matter.

“Unfortunately, it doesn’t come as any surprise, given I’ve been consistently fighting the authorities, who’ve been wanting to close the centre for 20 years.

“NHS Blood and Transplant has neglected a fantastic facility and has been determined to move it elsewhere for too long.”

A spokeswoman for the NHS said it is hoped the changes would cause “very little disruption” to blood donors and the Government has an “ongoing commitment” to making savings within the service.

She also confirmed hospitals which use the centre are being consultated.

A decision will be made by the NHSBT board regarding the future of the blood centre in Brentwood on March 22.