Question reference: S6W-15409
- Asked by: Alexander Burnett, MSP for Aberdeenshire West, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
- Date lodged: 9 March 2023
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Current status: Answered by Maree Todd on 22 March 2023
Question
To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service (SNBTS) survey, introduced in 2022, requires males to respond to a question on whether they could be pregnant when donating blood, and what consideration it has given to removing this requirement for males completing the SNBTS survey, in light of reports of male donors being turned away from donating blood for refusing to answer the question.
Answer
The Scottish Government is grateful to everyone who takes the time to volunteer to give blood.
The Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service (SNBTS) adjusted the donor health check questionnaire in April 2022 so that all donors are now asked the same questions.
It is necessary to know if a donor is pregnant to ensure the safety of donors. In addition, if a donor has received certain fertility treatments they are unable to donate for patient safety reasons. Although these questions will not be relevant for many donors – male and female - the donor health check questionnaire is the most practical and appropriate way of asking sensitive questions in a busy donor environment.
In response to some concerns raised about men being asked these questions, SNBTS will be amending the form to make clear that if the pregnancy questions are not applicable then all donors should simply tick ‘NO’. This change is likely to be implemented this summer.