Eluned Morgan MS, Minister for Health and Social Services
On 24 August, I made you aware of a UK wide supply problem affecting the provision of products used for blood collection. NHS Wales, with support from Welsh Government, have been leading our response to ensure supplies are available for those patients in Wales with the greatest clinical needs.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership, health boards across Wales, and particularly our pathology teams, whose continued dedication has ensured supplies were available to maintain our essential services.
An assessment of the current stock levels, as well as increased confidence in future supplies, indicates that we are now in a position to revise the clinical guidance to allow a greater volume of blood tests to be conducted for a wider range of patients and purposes. NHS Wales will shortly be issuing updated guidance to that effect.
It is anticipated that this latest guidance will increase the number of patients able to receive tests. Clinicians will be in contact with those patients over the coming weeks to arrange dates for appointments.
The situation is not entirely resolved and I have asked that stock levels are closely monitored as it is likely that the situation will continue to require mitigations into the New Year; at which point I will provide a further update to Members.