Blood Donors To Be Asked Details Of Their Sex Lives Under New Screening Process

Tuesday, 14 June 2022 09:26

By Caoimhe Harney

In March, the IBTS changed criteria for men who have sex with men as part of a push to make blood donation more inclusive to the LGBT+ community.

People in Ireland who give blood will be asked for details about their sex life, under a new screening system.

The change which is set to come into effect later this year, aims to focus on individual cases, and not risk categories.

The Irish Blood Transfusion Service told The Irish Times it will be 'non-discriminatory' as 'all donors will be asked the same questions'.

On World Blood Donor Day on Tuesday, a delegation from the IBTS will travel to Northern Ireland to see how their UK counterparts operate a similar system introduced last year.

In March, the IBTS changed criteria for men who have sex with men as part of a push to make blood donation more inclusive to the LGBT+ community.

The UK and Canada are believed to be the only other jurisdictions ahead of Ireland in embracing individual assessments of this kind.

The Irish questionnaire will ask prospective donors about sexual practices, including oral sex.

However, specific questions are still being finalised and will be tested in focus groups before being introduced.

Once adopted, donors attending clinics will be given questionnaires on tablet devices.

Depending on how people answer initial answers, more detailed questions could be asked.

Similar to the UK system, material on the nature of the screening will be available to prospective donors before they participate.

More from National News

Sharp Rise In M9 Collisions With Garda Call-Outs Up Year-On-Year

The figures, provided by An Garda Síochána, show a sharp increase compared to previous years.
Councillor Seeks Clarity On How Often Nightclubs and Late Bars In Naas Are Inspected For Fire Risks

Kildare Fire Service says all venues applying to renew their annual dance licence through the District Court were inspected in advance of the hearings.
New Figures From CSO Reveal How Much International Protection Applicants Earn Compared To Average Worker In Ireland

The data also found that a majority of asylum seekers entered the workforce once permitted to do so
Unpaid Eight-Month Work And Training Placement For Adults With Disabilities Branded "Extremely Unfair"

One Kildare mother told Kfm News that their child had been attending structured placements each weekday, typically from around 9:30am to 3pm, and in some cases carrying out tasks for up to two hours at a time - but are not receiving any form of payment.
Department Of Education Defends Kildare SNA Cuts Amid Claims Of Reduced Need At Some Schools

They said there "are many reasons why the level of need for SNA support in schools may fluctuate including falling enrolments, reduced or increased care needs and changing demographics as children move from primary to post-primary schools".
Naas Nurses Threaten Escalation As Staffing Row Deepens

Nurses spoke to Kfm News this week about issues they are dealing with on a daily basis.
Driving Tests Face Disruption As RSA Testers To Strike Next Week

The driving test centre in Naas is the only driving test centre in Kildare and attracts candidates from Kildare, Dublin, Wicklow and Laois.
Jury Delivers Not Guilty By Reason Of Insanity Verdict In Ballyfin Demesne Strangling Case

31-year-old Henry McGowan, from Brooklyn, New York, was found to be having a psychotic episode when he strangled his father to death at the 5-star hotel.