This story was first published in digitalhealth.net
More people in Wales to be allowed to donate blood
The Public Health Minister has announced that new rules in Wales will allow gay and bisexual men to donate blood sooner from 2018.
Current blood donation rules prevent people who engage in some sexual behaviours from giving blood for a 12 month period.
The Welsh Blood Service will be reducing deferral donation periods for specific blood donors in Wales as a result of scientific advances and improved understanding of the tests used.
The changes will see: a reduced deferral period of three months for men who have sex with men; a deferral period of three months for commercial sex workers; a reduced deferral period of three months for those who have sex with a high risk partner; and a reduced deferral period of three months for those who have sex with a partner who has been sexually active in areas where HIV is common.
The minister has asked the Welsh Blood Service to look at how the changes can be introduced including the use of more personalised risk assessments for individual donors.
The change was recommended following a review on the Safety of Blood, Tissues and Organs (SABTO).
Rebecca Evans, Public Health Minister, said: “I want to ensure that as many people as possible are able to donate blood to meet the demand from patients in Wales.
“In Wales and the UK, we’re fortunate to have one of the safest blood supplies in the world. Thanks to advances in medical science, we now have a far better understanding of the way infections are transmitted through blood.
“The changes I’m announcing today will help ensure we keep blood donors and the patients who receive their blood safe, while also ensuring more people have the opportunity to donate blood.”
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