GPs to play leading role in new blood donation rules

Thousands more Australians are now eligible to donate blood and plasma following changes to donation criteria.
 
The updated Australian Red Cross Lifeblood criteria, which came into effect at the end of last month, allows people who have fully recovered from most cancers to donate both blood and plasma 12 months after finishing treatment.
 
Those who have had blood cancers, such as leukaemia and lymphoma, will continue to be unable to donate.
 
Prior to the change, those who had had a cancer diagnosis were required to wait five years to donate.
 
The update, which has been approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), does come with a new condition however, which requires prospective donors to obtain written confirmation from one of their treating doctors that they are in remission.
 
Patients are able to contact Lifeblood to access a specific form for their GP to fill out.

Professor Mark Morgan, Chair of the RACGP Expert Committee – Quality Care, welcomed the change, but acknowledged the new responsibility being placed on doctors.
 
‘It is good to see some flexibility for people fully recovered from cancer to donate blood and plasma,’ he told newsGP.
 
‘There is always a shortage of donors so opening up the opportunity to donate to more people will help.
 
‘[It does] put some onus on doctors to provide written information about the safety of the donor.’
 
Australia has been experiencing a shortage of blood for the last four years, exacerbated in part by the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
More recently, Lifeblood put out a call in March for an additional 6000 people to donate blood, after stocks were depleted by ex-Cyclone Alfred. While in June, the organisation’s levels of both O positive and O negative blood dropped to their lowest point since 2023.
 
Despite the challenge to keep up with demand, however, every year more than 5000 potential donors on average are asked to wait to donate due to a previous cancer diagnosis – with research showing people are less likely to return after long wait-times.
 
Lifeblood Executive Director Cath Stone said the change comes at a time when Australia’s blood supply is in record-high demand.
 
‘Cancer patients are the largest users of blood in Australia; they need 11,000 donations each week,’ she said.
 
‘Many cancer survivors have relied on blood transfusions and plasma medicines during chemotherapy or surgery, and we know many are eager to give back.’
 
In addition to written confirmation from a treating doctor, to be able to donate, prospective donors will still be required to undergo standard health checks and complete a detailed questionnaire.
 
The change has been backed by international evidence showing that a five-year wait between finalising cancer treatment and donation is not necessary for either donor or patient safety.
 
However, survey findings published by the University of New South Wales’ Kirby Institute in 2023 found 54% of Australians are under the impression that having cancer renders people ineligible from donating blood for life.
 
Professor Morgan said it should provide reassurance that the safety of the proposal has been reviewed and approved by the TGA.
 
‘It is important to understand that cancers are not transmitted through donated blood,’ he said.
 
‘The Australian Red Cross continues to screen all donors and donations for infections that could be transmitted through blood. This includes screening for HIV, hepatitis B and C, human T-cell lymphotropic virus (HTLV) and syphilis. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is also tested, but for most recipients the presence of CMV is not a problem.’
 
Lung cancer survivor, Mary Ransom is among those happy to be able to donate blood once again, attending the Newcastle Blood Donor Centre last week to donate blood for the 384th time.
 
While the 75-year-old didn’t require blood herself while undergoing treatment, it is a cause close to her heart.
 
‘In my family, both of my sisters including myself have had cancer, as well as my grandson, so our family has been deeply touched by both cancer and the need for blood,’ Ms Ransom said.
 
‘It was so good to get back in the chair, and I’d encourage others to speak to their doctor; it’s so fulfilling to be able to help others who need it.’
 
The change to the eligibility criteria is the latest move by Lifeblood to make blood and plasma donations more inclusive and accessible.
 
In June it was announced that as of 14 July most sexual activity wait times for plasma donations would be removed, allowing gay and bisexual men, and anyone taking PrEP, who meet all the other eligibility criteria to donate without a wait period.
 
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