This change is about switching around how we assess the risk of exposure to a sexual infection, so it is more tailored to the individual. The process of giving blood will not change.Įlla Poppitt, Chief Nurse for Blood Donation at NHS Blood and Transplant, said: “Patient safety is at the heart of everything we do. The changes to the re-named Donation Safety Check form* will affect blood, plasma and platelet donors. Anyone who has had the same sexual partner for the last three months will be eligible to donate. Instead, any individual who attends to give blood - regardless of gender - will be asked if they have had sex and, if so, about recent sexual behaviours. Eligibility will be based on individual circumstances surrounding health, travel and sexual behaviours evidenced to be at a higher risk of sexual infection.ĭonors will no longer be asked if they are a man who has had sex with another man, removing the element of assessment that is based on the previous population-based risks. New eligibility rules that will allow more men who have sex with men to donate blood, platelets and plasma come into effect this week, marking an historic move to make blood donation more inclusive while keeping blood just as safe.įrom today (Monday) – World Blood Donor Day – the questions asked of everyone when they come to donate blood in England, Scotland and Wales will change.
