AN MP says patients across the North-East will suffer as a result of the closure of a NHS blood processing site.

The site in Newcastle, along with a corresponding site in Sheffield, is to shut in a move which will see such services centralised in Manchester by 2017.

Stockton North MP Alex Cunningham said: “My chief concern is that the manufacturing of blood products will be concentrated in areas that do not best serve hospitals in the North-East.

“I fear this will produce knock-on consequences for hospitals across the region and will prove to be damaging to public health.”

The MP said hospitals could be forced to rely on products from ‘holding units’ which may have been manufactured and transported several days previous.

He has now written to the chief executive of service provider NHS Blood and Transplant to express his concerns.

NHS Blood and Transplant said in a statement: “Our top priority in making any changes is the security, safety and continuity of our blood supply to meet patient needs.

“We have considered the logistical implications of transferring manufacturing activity from Newcastle and Sheffield to Manchester and are confident we will be able to maintain the supply of blood and blood components to hospitals in all circumstances.

“We are working with our hospital customers to ensure a smooth implementation.”