As you may know, NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) aims to provide donors with an accessible and safe service so they can give blood at a convenient time for them. Its 6,000 staff work 24/7, 365 days per year to process, test and issue donated blood and have achieved world class productivity levels in processing and testing. However, NHSBT must face the constant challenge of attracting donors at the right time and from the right blood group mix to match the needs of patients. I know that NHSBT aims to modernise blood collection operations and it has also co-ordinated awareness campaigns, such as the recent Missing Type Campaign, to motivate thousands of people to start donating blood.
With regards to the blood donor selection criterion relating to men who have had sex with men, it was amended in November 2011 from permanent deferral, to deferral for 12 months following the last relevant contact. This followed a recommendation from the independent Scientific Advisory Committee on the Safety of Blood, Tissues and Organs and was applied in England, Scotland and Wales.
With regards to who can donate blood, however, deferral was set at 12 months to reduce the risk that a donor's blood might carry an infection that could be transmitted to a transfusion recipient. Donations are routinely tested, but new infections and infections in the late phase of clearance may not be detected. Lifting this 12-month deferral would therefore increase the risk of a donation carrying an infection being released for transfusion.
However, I want to assure you that the blood donor selection criteria are regularly reviewed to ensure they are based on up to date evidence.