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How FAIR is continuing to improve Blood Donation in the UK

In June 2021, the UK introduced an important change to its blood donor guidelines through the ‘For the Assessment of Individualised Risk’ (FAIR) project.

 

The new approach moved away from applying broad restrictions based on identity and instead assesses each donor individually, focusing on their health and behaviours. This change removed limitations that had previously affected specific groups, making eligibility more inclusive. Under the new FAIR guidelines, eligibility is based on individual behaviours rather than broad identity categories, allowing many more people to donate blood.

This change has been particularly impactful for the
LGBTQ+ community, where many individuals who
were previously excluded can now donate. The
change has also been important for Black African
heritage donors, again as the focus on recent
behaviours rather than geographic background has
enabled more people from these communities to
donate. This shift gives greater inclusivity and helps
address the need for more rare blood types, such
as those required to treat sickle cell disease.

Dr Stuart Blackmore has played a key role in leading the research and implementation of the FAIR policy within the Welsh Blood Service. After a long and impactful career as a Consultant in Donor Medicine where he contributed significantly to promoting inclusivity in blood donation, Dr. Blackmore has now retired.

The 2024 FAIR Donor Survey

The Welsh Blood Service ran the 2024 FAIR Donor Survey in collaboration with NHS Blood and Transplant, and the the UK Health Security Agency. This survey, part of the ongoing research surrounding the FAIR policy, aimed to evaluate how well donors understand and follow to the new guidelines while gathering important feedback on their experiences. The data collected through this research is essential for refining the guidelines and ensuring the blood donation system remains both safe and inclusive.

Our Research, Development & Innovation Services team distributed the survey to 8,500 donors in Wales over a three-month period. From this, around 1,000 responses were received. The findings from this research will help further refine the FAIR policy, ensuring it continues to meet safety standards while ensuring inclusivity for all donors across the UK.

 

Collaboration