FEATURE // THE RAINBOW PROJECT
CHANGE TO BLOOD DONATION IS COMING.
CHANGES TO ALLOW GAY AND BI MEN TO DONATE BLOOD IS COMING IN NORTHERN IRELAND BY THE RAINBOW PROJECT THE NORTHERN IRELAND BLOOD Transfusion Service (NIBTS) in September 2021, will start to assess donor eligibility on a person-by-person basis for declared lifestyle choices; instead of applying acrossthe-board restrictions which have previously excluded potential donors specifically restricting the donation from Gay/BI or MSM. They will now be using a donor’s individual experiences to determine whether that person is eligible to donate will make the process fairer for all donors and means more people will be able to give blood than ever before. This means all donors will be asked the same questions – regardless of gender or sexual orientation. These changes to the way UK blood services assess the risk of transfusion transmitted infections incorporate the key recommendations of the 2020 FAIR (For the Assessment of ndividualised Risk) Report. These recommendations were designed by epidemiology, sexual health and infectious disease experts to make sure that the blood supply is kept safe while making blood donation fairer and more accessible to all. The new FAIR risk assessment will be implemented in England, Scotland and Wales will come into effect on 14th June 2021, while in Northern Ireland the change won’t come into effect until September 2021. The Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion Service (NIBTS) are working in collaboration with The Rainbow Project to ensure all those eligible to donate blood can do so safely and that all NIBTS staff have the support and training to engage with the LGBTQ+ community
TWENTY FOUR // GNIMAG.COM
Speaking about the change, Director of The Rainbow Project John O’Doherty said: “We welcome the implementation of the Fair Report and the new rules surrounding blood donations. These changes mean a large number of people who have never been able to donate blood will be eligible to do so. We would like to thank the Health Minister, Robin Swann, for ensuring that decisions related to blood donations are based wholly on the best available medical evidence and that policies are implemented on a UK wide basis. “This is an issue we have been campaigning on for over 10 years and for the implementation of an individualised risk assessment. During that time, we have been clear that donating blood is not a right, but a civic responsibility on all of us who are eligible to do so. The focus of The Rainbow Project will now turn to encouraging all those people who are now eligible to register as blood donors. Security and sustainability in our blood supply is a continued pressure across our health service – and while vocal and visible support for the NHS during the pandemic is to be welcomed – one of the most effective ways we can support our NHS is through donating blood. “While we are disappointed that Northern Ireland will not be implementing the new assessment at the same time as the rest of the UK, we understand the reasons behind this and welcome the ongoing communication from the Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion Service and their commitment to ensuring staff are trained on the use of the new assessment process. The COVID 19 pandemic has had a huge impact on all aspects of our health service.
We will be spending the next 3 months be directing our resources towards supporting the implementation of the new system and encouraging all those who are eligible to donate blood”. Why should people donate blood? It’s really simple, blood saves lives. Your decision to donate your blood can save a life, or even several if your blood is separated into its individual components – such as red cells, platelets and plasma. All of which can be used individually for patients with specific conditions such as cancer, liver disease etc. Most of us will know someone who has benefited from donated blood through emergency surgery, for routine operations, in the treatment of cancer, or childbirth. What will these new process or questions be? The Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion Service (NIBTS) realise that being asked about specific sexual practices is something you may not be used to or find embarrassing. However, NIBTS and the Rainbow Project will be working to make you aware of the need for these questions and we ask that you answer them completely honestly, as this is very important in maintaining the safety of the blood supply. Each person will have to complete a donation Health Check and will be asked a series of questions which cover a threemonth period. These questions include; questions around sexual activity over the
