RCN response to DH announcement on blood donation

Published: 08 September 2011

Commenting on the announcement that the Department of Health is going to implement a one year deferral period on gay and bisexual men donating blood, RCN Chief Executive & General Secretary, Dr. Peter Carter said:

“The news today will certainly be seen as a step in the right direction by the many RCN members who voted strongly in favour of lobbying the Government to remove the blanket ban at our annual Congress meeting in April. Our members felt it was important to look at the risk assessment of individual behaviours, not just those of gay and bisexual men. It will therefore be interesting to see if the change has an effect on the number of active blood donors on whom the NHS greatly depends.

“As gay men still remain at a high risk of contracting HIV, it is equally important that more is done to try and reduce this and to improve their sexual health. As always, patient safety continues to remain a top priority and we would not want to see this compromised in any way. The RCN continues to support the SaBTO guidance and the robust checks which are in place to ensure the health and safety of donation recipients.”

Ends

Notes for Editors

1. For further information on the motion at RCN Congress http://www.rcn.org.uk/newsevents/congress/congress_2011/congress_2011_agenda/10._blood_donation
2. The change will apply to England, Scotland and Wales, but will not affect men who have had sex with another man in the past 12 months.
3. For further information, interviews or illustrations please contact the RCN Media Office on 0207 647 3633, press.office@rcn.org.uk or visit  http://www.rcn.org.uk/newsevents/media
4. The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) is the voice of nursing across the UK and is the largest professional union of nursing staff in the world. The RCN promotes the interest of nurses and patients on a wide range of issues and helps shape healthcare policy by working closely with the UK Government and other national and international institutions, trade unions, professional bodies and voluntary organisations