Latest news with #JoPink
9 News
6 hours ago
- Health
- 9 News
Rule change means gay and bisexual men can donate plasma without wait times
Your web browser is no longer supported. To improve your experience update it here LIVE Rockets activate third country's air defences Sexually active gay and bisexual men will be able to donate plasma under a change in rules by Australian Red Cross Lifeblood. Under the previous rules, any gay or bisexual men and transgender women who have sex with men cannot donate blood or plasma if they have had sex in the last three months. But from July 14, Lifeblood will remove most sexual activity with times for plasma donations for gay and bisexual men and transgender women, meaning they can donate plasma at any time. Sexually active gay and bisexual men will be able to donate plasma in a change of rules. (Lifeblood) It means over 100,000 additional people can donate much-needed life-saving plasma, Lifeblood said. "We're excited to be able to welcome more people from across the community into our donor centres from next month," Lifeblood's chief medical officer Dr Jo Pink said. "With more than 600,0000 people estimated to be covered by the previous wait times, we now anticipate an extra 24,000 donors and 95,000 extra donations of plasma to be made each year." They will also accept plasma donations from people taking PrEP, an antiviral taken by people who are HIV-negative that protects them from contracting the illness. The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has also approved a submission to remove gender-based sexual activity rules from blood and platelet donation eligibility. The change means all people with a single sexual partner for six months or more will be eligible to donate blood. It means over 100,000 additional people can donate much-needed life-saving plasma, Lifeblood said. (9NEWS) Most people with new or multiple partners will also be able to dontate blood under the new laws, as long as they haven't had anal sex in the past three months. The rule change means men will not be asked if they have had sex with another man but rather everyone will be asked the same questions regardless of their gender or sex. "This is a significant milestone in being able to safely reduce wait times and make it easier for more people in the LGBTQIA+ community to donate," Pink said. "Blood safety is and always will be our top priority, but we know the current donation rules have been very difficult for many people in the LGBTQIA+ community. "While they were put in place to ensure a safe blood supply in the past, we know that they've contributed to the stigma faced by the community. "We hope as we move through the process of seeking to have both these changes introduced, that this will be a turning point for both Lifeblood and the LGBTQIA+ community." People taking PrEP still won't be able to donate blood despite the changes. CONTACT US
The Advertiser
9 hours ago
- Health
- The Advertiser
Red Cross ends donation ban on sexually active gay and bisexual men
Sexually active gay and bisexual men and transgender women will be able to donate blood from July 14 after a landmark change in eligibility rules. Current Red Cross donor rules prevent gay and bisexual men from giving blood or plasma if they have had sex in the past three months. The rule was designed to prohibit people at higher risk of exposure to HIV from donating. READ MORE: 'Watch your kids': death cap mushrooms sprouting across regional areas But the Red Cross said on June 18 that extensive research and modelling show that there will be no impact on the safety of the plasma supply with this change. Lifeblood's chief medical officer, Dr Jo Pink, said they were "excited to welcome more people from across the community" into donor centres. "With more than 600,0000 people estimated to be covered by the previous wait times, we now anticipate an extra 24,000 donors and 95,000 extra donations of plasma to be made each year," she said. Dr Pink said the safety and well-being of patients who receive blood and plasma would always be foremost in decision-making. "Our submission to change rules for blood donation included data that shows, for now, a six-month wait is the safest option for Australian patients, but we are committed to reviewing this as more evidence becomes available," she said. "There are many steps that Lifeblood needs to take before we can implement the new gender-neutral assessments, including working with state and territory governments to change the donor questionnaire. Dr Pink said they hoped to implement changes to gender-neutral assessments next active gay and bisexual men and transgender women will be able to donate blood from July 14 after a landmark change in eligibility rules. Current Red Cross donor rules prevent gay and bisexual men from giving blood or plasma if they have had sex in the past three months. The rule was designed to prohibit people at higher risk of exposure to HIV from donating. READ MORE: 'Watch your kids': death cap mushrooms sprouting across regional areas But the Red Cross said on June 18 that extensive research and modelling show that there will be no impact on the safety of the plasma supply with this change. Lifeblood's chief medical officer, Dr Jo Pink, said they were "excited to welcome more people from across the community" into donor centres. "With more than 600,0000 people estimated to be covered by the previous wait times, we now anticipate an extra 24,000 donors and 95,000 extra donations of plasma to be made each year," she said. Dr Pink said the safety and well-being of patients who receive blood and plasma would always be foremost in decision-making. "Our submission to change rules for blood donation included data that shows, for now, a six-month wait is the safest option for Australian patients, but we are committed to reviewing this as more evidence becomes available," she said. "There are many steps that Lifeblood needs to take before we can implement the new gender-neutral assessments, including working with state and territory governments to change the donor questionnaire. Dr Pink said they hoped to implement changes to gender-neutral assessments next active gay and bisexual men and transgender women will be able to donate blood from July 14 after a landmark change in eligibility rules. Current Red Cross donor rules prevent gay and bisexual men from giving blood or plasma if they have had sex in the past three months. The rule was designed to prohibit people at higher risk of exposure to HIV from donating. READ MORE: 'Watch your kids': death cap mushrooms sprouting across regional areas But the Red Cross said on June 18 that extensive research and modelling show that there will be no impact on the safety of the plasma supply with this change. Lifeblood's chief medical officer, Dr Jo Pink, said they were "excited to welcome more people from across the community" into donor centres. "With more than 600,0000 people estimated to be covered by the previous wait times, we now anticipate an extra 24,000 donors and 95,000 extra donations of plasma to be made each year," she said. Dr Pink said the safety and well-being of patients who receive blood and plasma would always be foremost in decision-making. "Our submission to change rules for blood donation included data that shows, for now, a six-month wait is the safest option for Australian patients, but we are committed to reviewing this as more evidence becomes available," she said. "There are many steps that Lifeblood needs to take before we can implement the new gender-neutral assessments, including working with state and territory governments to change the donor questionnaire. Dr Pink said they hoped to implement changes to gender-neutral assessments next active gay and bisexual men and transgender women will be able to donate blood from July 14 after a landmark change in eligibility rules. Current Red Cross donor rules prevent gay and bisexual men from giving blood or plasma if they have had sex in the past three months. The rule was designed to prohibit people at higher risk of exposure to HIV from donating. READ MORE: 'Watch your kids': death cap mushrooms sprouting across regional areas But the Red Cross said on June 18 that extensive research and modelling show that there will be no impact on the safety of the plasma supply with this change. Lifeblood's chief medical officer, Dr Jo Pink, said they were "excited to welcome more people from across the community" into donor centres. "With more than 600,0000 people estimated to be covered by the previous wait times, we now anticipate an extra 24,000 donors and 95,000 extra donations of plasma to be made each year," she said. Dr Pink said the safety and well-being of patients who receive blood and plasma would always be foremost in decision-making. "Our submission to change rules for blood donation included data that shows, for now, a six-month wait is the safest option for Australian patients, but we are committed to reviewing this as more evidence becomes available," she said. "There are many steps that Lifeblood needs to take before we can implement the new gender-neutral assessments, including working with state and territory governments to change the donor questionnaire. Dr Pink said they hoped to implement changes to gender-neutral assessments next year.
BBC News
10 hours ago
- Health
- BBC News
Australia lifts plasma donation ban for gay, bisexual men in world first
Rules that effectively banned all sexually active gay and bisexual men from donating blood and plasma are being lifted in Australia. The rules, originally introduced to decrease the risk of blood donations from groups with a higher chance of HIV exposure, will begin being revoked from next month, following similar moves in the UK and under the changes, Australia will become the first country in the world to remove all sexual activity-based restrictions on plasma donation, the national blood donation service Lifeblood new rules have been approved by the country's health products regulator, and are estimated to expand the donation pool by 625,000 people. Lifeblood's Chief Medical Officer, Jo Pink, in a statement said the changes are a significant milestone."Blood safety is and always will be our top priority, but we know the current donation rules have been very difficult for many people in the LGBTQIA+ community... we know that they've contributed to the stigma faced by [them]," she any men or transgender women who had sex with men in the previous three months were banned from donating blood or plasma, as were sex workers and women who have sex with bisexual most people in a sexual relationship of 6 months or more with a single partner will be eligible to donate blood, regardless of their gender or the new rules, Lifeblood will no longer ask men if they had sex with men in the previous three all donors will be asked if they have had anal sex with new or multiple the answer is yes, they will need to wait three months to donate blood, but are still eligible to donate taking HIV prevention drug PrEP will also be able to donate plasma, though they are still blocked from donating only group who are still unable to donate plasma are those with HIV, and those with a partner with plasma donation rules will come into effect on 14 July, with the updated approach to blood donations to be implemented sometime in conducted by Lifeblood, with the University of New South Wales' Kirby Institute, showed that rule changes would not have any impact to the safety of blood and plasma in particular goes through a process called pathogen inactivation, which filters out viruses and bacteria, significantly reduces the risk of an infection being passed on to a demand for plasma is already at an all time high and is still rising, including in Australia, so Lifeblood hopes the changes will provide a much-need boost to supplies."We welcome this change which potentially unlocks thousands of donations of life-saving plasma, which is in high demand in Australian hospitals," Health Equity Matters chief executive Dash Heath-Paynter said in a reporting by Lana Lam
Perth Now
11 hours ago
- Health
- Perth Now
Ban to be lifted on gay and bisexual men donating blood
Major changes have been made to the rules surrounding sexual activity for blood and plasma donations. More people will soon be able to donate blood and plasma after changes to the sexual activity eligibility rules were confirmed by Australian Red Cross Lifeblood on Tuesday. Current donor rules in Australia mean certain people cannot donate based on gender-based sexual activities. The rule stops gay and bisexual men and transgender women who have sex with men from giving blood or plasma if they have had sex in the past three months. In a major announcement, however, the organisation said that from July 14 most sexual activity wait times for plasma donations will be removed. Lifeblood chief medical officer Jo Pink said the change comes at an important time, with plasma now the donation type most needed by Australian patients. 'We're excited to be able to welcome more people from across the community into our donor centres from next month,' Pink said. Current donor rules in Australia mean certain people cannot donate based on gender-based sexual activities. Credit: AAP 'With more than 600,0000 people estimated to be covered by the previous wait times, we now anticipate an extra 24,000 donors and 95,000 extra donations of plasma to be made each year.' The new changes mean most people, including gay and bisexual men, will be able to donate plasma without a wait period, providing they meet all other eligibility criteria. People who take pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), a medication taken significantly reduce the risk of contracting HIV, will also be able to donate. Lifeblood said extensive research and modelling show that there will be no impact to the safety of the plasma supply with the new changes. Gender-based sexual activity rules will still be in place for blood donations, however, Lifeblood said eligibility changes have been progressing with the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) approving a submission to remove gender-based sexual activity rules in future. From July 14, most sexual activity wait times for plasma donations will be removed. Credit: AAP 'There are many steps that Lifeblood needs to take before we can implement the new gender-neutral assessments, including working with state and territory governments to change the donor questionnaire,' Pink said. 'We hope to be able to implement this part of the changes next year. 'This is a significant milestone in being able to safely reduce wait times and make it easier for more people in the LGBTQIA+ community to donate. 'Blood safety is and always will be our top priority, but we know the current donation rules have been very difficult for many people in the LGBTQIA+ community. 'While they were put in place to ensure a safe blood supply in the past, we know that they've contributed to the stigma faced by the community. 'We hope as we move through the process of seeking to have both these changes introduced, that this will be a turning point for both Lifeblood and the LGBTQIA+ community.' The changes mean Australia's regulations are world-leading and would 'unlock thousands of life-saving donations', Health Equity Matter chief executive Dash Heath-Paynter said. 'Members of the LGBQTIA+ community members can now help those whose lives depend on plasma donations, without a donation deferral period,' he said.
7NEWS
11 hours ago
- Health
- 7NEWS
Lifeblood to allow gay and bisexual men to donate blood
Major changes have been made to the rules surrounding sexual activity for blood and plasma donations. More people will soon be able to donate blood and plasma after changes to the sexual activity eligibility rules were confirmed by Australian Red Cross Lifeblood on Tuesday. Current donor rules in Australia mean certain people cannot donate based on gender-based sexual activities. The rule stops gay and bisexual men and transgender women who have sex with men from giving blood or plasma if they have had sex in the past three months. In a major announcement, however, the organisation said that from July 14 most sexual activity wait times for plasma donations will be removed. Lifeblood chief medical officer Jo Pink said the change comes at an important time, with plasma now the donation type most needed by Australian patients. 'We're excited to be able to welcome more people from across the community into our donor centres from next month,' Dr Pink said. 'With more than 600,0000 people estimated to be covered by the previous wait times, we now anticipate an extra 24,000 donors and 95,000 extra donations of plasma to be made each year.' The new changes mean most people, including gay and bisexual men, will be able to donate plasma without a wait period, providing they meet all other eligibility criteria. People who take pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), a medication taken significantly reduce the risk of contracting HIV, will also be able to donate. Lifeblood said extensive research and modelling show that there will be no impact to the safety of the plasma supply with the new changes. Gender-based sexual activity rules will still be in place for blood donations, however, Lifeblood said eligibility changes have been progressing with the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) approving a submission to remove gender-based sexual activity rules in future. 'There are many steps that Lifeblood needs to take before we can implement the new gender-neutral assessments, including working with state and territory governments to change the donor questionnaire,' Pink said. 'We hope to be able to implement this part of the changes next year. 'This is a significant milestone in being able to safely reduce wait times and make it easier for more people in the LGBTQIA+ community to donate. 'Blood safety is and always will be our top priority, but we know the current donation rules have been very difficult for many people in the LGBTQIA+ community. 'While they were put in place to ensure a safe blood supply in the past, we know that they've contributed to the stigma faced by the community. 'We hope as we move through the process of seeking to have both these changes introduced, that this will be a turning point for both Lifeblood and the LGBTQIA+ community.' The changes mean Australia's regulations are world-leading and would 'unlock thousands of life-saving donations', Health Equity Matter chief executive Dash Heath-Paynter said. 'Members of the LGBQTIA+ community members can now help those whose lives depend on plasma donations, without a donation deferral period,' he said.
