Health Minister Robin Swann has announced further changes to blood donation deferral rules to allow more people to donate blood.
The Minister’s decision is based on expert advice from the advisory Committee on the Safety of Blood, Tissues and Organs (SaBTO) following it’s consideration of a report by the FAIR (For the Assessment of Individualised Risk) steering group.
The key recommendation which the Health Minister has decided to implement in Northern Ireland is the introduction of individual behavioural based risk assessment that will allow some men who have sex with men (MSM) to donate blood, if they have had one sexual partner who has been their partner for more than three months.
Health Minister Robin Swann said: “I am pleased to be able to introduce this change to donor deferral policy in Northern Ireland, which means MSM in longer-term partnerships will no longer be automatically deferred from donating blood, provided they have been with the same partner for the previous three months and meet the revised medical criteria.
“I want to see more people able to donate blood, however as Health Minister it is my responsibility to ensure the safety of donated blood.
“I can reassure you that my decision is guided purely by the science and the advice of the experts at SaBTO, whose core remit is to minimise any health risk from blood.
“My decision to reduce the deferral period for MSM from 12 months to three months earlier this year was based on advice from SaBTO and I am content once again to accept their expert advice on this matter.
“SaBTO have provided an assurance that regular monitoring of residual risk of blood-borne infections will continue as normal to ensure that there is no impact on the safe supply of blood to patients.”
The Minister stressed the importance of complying with the donation rules. He said: “Whilst all donated blood is tested for blood borne infections, it is still of paramount importance that all potential donors are honest in their response to the assessment questions and comply with any deferral rules that apply to them.”
Welcoming the announcement, Chief Executive of the NI Blood Transfusion Service (NIBTS), Karin Jackson, said: “Introducing new questions to our Donor Health Check will help us to identify lower risk MSM who are eligible to give the gift of blood.
“I am particularly pleased that the Northern Ireland Health Minister has been able to make this announcement along with the Health Ministers in England, Scotland and Wales.
“This change will give as many people as possible the opportunity to donate blood, whilst continuing to ensure the safety of patients.”
NIBTS will work with the other UK blood services to make preparations and raise awareness with donors and potential donors about the changes. It is expected that these changes will come into effect in Summer 2021.
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