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Phlebotomy: Staff

Asked by Douglas McAllisterLabourDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled Answered 6 July 2026UIN 13598

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of phlebotomy workforce shortages on access to urgent Full Blood Count testing.

Answered by Karin Smyth

No such assessment has been made.

We expect all National Health Services, and those contracted to carry out NHS services, to ensure they have sufficient workforce, including the required skill mix, to provide those services.

The Government is committed to publishing a 10 Year Workforce Plan to set out action to create a workforce ready to deliver the transformed service set out in the 10-Year Health Plan.

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