AQW 180/16-21 Written question to the Minister of Health
To ask the Minister of Health whether she plans to overturn the lifetime ban on the donation of blood by men who have sex with men.
Asked by Kellie Armstrong MLA on 27 May 2016
- Answered
- Written
- Tabled
- 27 May 2016
- Answer due by
- 13 June 2016
- Answered
- 8 June 201612 days after tabling
- Department
- Department of Health
- Priority question
- No
Answer
On Thursday 2 June, having considered the evidence regarding patient safety, with the agreement of the Executive I decided to end the lifetime ban on blood donation by men who have had sex with men (MSM) and to put in place a twelve-month blood donation deferral for MSM.
The new policy will come into effect on 1 September 2016.
It is important to stress that blood donors comply with any deferral rules that apply to them.