Why are we banned from donating blood if we have CFS/ME?

SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT
WRITTEN ANSWER
11 November 2010

Index Heading: Health and Wellbeing

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive
what evidence supports the banning of people with myalgic encephalomyelitis
from giving blood.

(S3W-37260)
Ms Shona Robison :

Following a recommendation in July 2010 by UK Blood Services Standing
Advisory Committee on the Care and Selection of Donors and the Joint
Professional Advisory Committee (JPAC), from 1 November 2010 across the UK,
those with a history of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome
(ME-CFS) are permanently deferred from donating blood for the protection of
their own health. This decision was made to bring the donor deferral
criteria for those in this group into line with those with other relapsing
conditions, such as multiple sclerosis.

SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE