UK blood donation rules say you need a good level of general health and wellbeing and weigh between 50 kg and 160 kg (7st 12lb - 25 stone). Men who have sex with men and who have had the same partner for 3 months or more and. As a rule, most people between the ages of 17 and 66 can give blood without donor restrictions. Mr Heneghan is to donate blood for the 20th time next month. Gay and bisexual men are not automatically prevented from giving blood. “The positive from the amended eligibility rules, however, is of course that some potential donors who could safely donate blood service up to today may donate in this country.” “Under the new rules, gay and bisexual men will continue to face restrictions that are not applied on a risk basis, and are not based on science or medicine, but instead have been plucked from someone’s head and applied without real scrutiny,” Mr Heneghan said. Tomas Heneghan, who took a High Court case against the state for a previous lifelong ban on gay men in Ireland donating blood in 2015, said he could “not fully welcome” the amended eligibility rules. “This will create a fairer system which will ensure donors, regardless of their sexuality, are being asked questions that successfully identify higher risk.” “We now want to see work commence on the introduction of individualised risk assessment which the IBTS has agreed to implement by the end of 2022. “Today’s change is only a first step in achieving a more inclusive approach. “With a backdrop of dwindling blood supply in Ireland, it is of the utmost importance that current scientific advice is followed so that more people can donate safely to meet demand. During the 70s and 80s, there was a sharp rise in HIV and Hepatitis B, leading to the ban of gay. But certain restrictions had been in place, making it difficult for gay and bisexual men to donate their blood. It can be viewed as a way of giving back to humanity. “Medical evidence supports the finding that oral sex carries virtually no risk for HIV transmission and was correctly considered an unnecessary barrier for gay and bisexual men to donate blood. Hence donating blood is a way in which humans voluntarily save each other’s life. “Despite a move in the right direction we are disappointed to learn that the IBTS decided not to implement a recommendation to remove oral sex as a reason for deferring gbMSM, as agreed by the review group,” he said. “These changes bring Ireland more in line with practices in neighbouring jurisdictions.”Īdam Shanley, mPower programme manager at HIV Ireland, who served on the review group, said he was disappointed that some aspects of the recommendations had yet to be implemented. Then in 2017, following campaigning from gay rights and. The rules were changed to include a year’s abstinence. “This is a significant reduction in the previous deferral period, down from 12 months, and is in line with the recommendation towards the adoption of an individualised risk-based approach as recommended by the review group. Up until 2011, men who have sex with men were completely banned from giving blood. Were welcoming news today that gay and bisexual and. The Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service (SNBTS) will ensure there is information available for donors to explain the reasons for the changes, and to give reassurance that all information provided by donors is kept strictly in confidence.Despite a move in the right direction we are disappointed to learn that the IBTS decided not to implement a recommendation to remove oral sex as a reason for deferring gbMSM Adam Shanley Gay and bisexual men allowed to donate blood without abstaining from sex under historic UK rule change. The changes follow recommendations by the specialist steering group for Assessment of Individualised Risk (FAIR), made up of leading medical and academic experts and LGBTI+ groups. Instead, each person will be given a more individual risk assessment, which will involve all potential donors being asked a few additional questions about their sexual behaviour. Not have taken medication, herbal supplements or traditional herbal remedies for at least 3 days. Not have had a fever in the last 4 weeks. sore throat, cough, runny nose or diarrhoea for at least 1 week.
Not have had any symptoms of infection e.g. New recommendations, which the Advisory Committee on the Safety of Blood, Tissues and Organs (SaBTO) is satisfied will continue to ensure blood safety, mean men will no longer be automatically barred from giving blood if they have had sex with another man in the last three months. To donate blood, you must: Be in general good health.
Currently, men are not able to donate blood in the UK if they have had sex with another man in the past three months, in-line with previous expert advice. Changes to the questions asked of blood donors will ensure more gay and bisexual men are able to donate blood in the future.