Changes to blood rules for gay and bisexual men

Changes making it easier for gay and bisexual men to give blood have been announced by the Scottish Government.

The current deferral period which means that men cannot give blood within 12 months of having sex with another man will be reduced to three months under the plans.

The change, ordered by public health minister Aileen Campbell, will be implemented by the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service and follows recommendations from the UK’S Advisory Committee on the Safety of Blood, Tissues and Organs (SABTO).

The new rules, which also apply to commercial sex workers and people who have sex with partners classed as high-risk, are likely to be brought in north of the Border in November.

LGBTI campaigners have welcomed the measure but said it does not completely eliminate “discrimination in blood donation”.

Ms Campbell said: “The safety of blood supplies is paramount, and we have one of the safest supplies in the world.

“After carefully examining the latest scientific evidence, SABTO has concluded that shortening the current 12-month deferral period for men who have had sex with another man to three months since they last had sex with a man can be implemented safely.”