National Blood Service to Review Blood Donor Bans

The National Blood Service has announced plans to conduct a review of policies governing exclusion and deferral from blood donation.

Young gay men need same level of sex and relationships education as their heterosexual peers.

In response to Sir Alasdair Macdonald’s Independent Review of the proposal to make PSHE statutory Deborah Jack, Chief Executive of NAT, comments:
 
“I am pleased the Government is continuing with its plan to make PSHE compulsory in schools. It is right that every child is equipped with the information they need to make responsible decisions about their relationships.

NAT welcomes the Offence (Aggravation by Prejudice) (Scotland) Bill that will ensure that for the first time people living with HIV in Scotland are protected from HIV related hate crime. NAT played an important role in advising on the Bill which was passed yesterday by the Scottish Parliament, and is now awaiting royal assent.

NAT today welcomed a new HIV testing campaign launched by THT: ‘THIVK. Test. Take Control’.

Following the announcement this morning of detailed analysis of the phase III Thai HIV vaccine trial, Deborah Jack, Chief Executive of NAT, comments;

“The Thai trial is a milestone in the search for a vaccine against HIV.  Detailed analysis shows that the benefit was modest and primarily in the heterosexual community. However, it remains the case that this was the first ever vaccine candidate to show protection in humans..."

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Following today’s public meeting Blood Donation – Selection, Deferral and Exclusion held by SaBTO (Advisory Committee on the Safety of Blood, Tissues and Organs), Deborah Jack, Chief Executive of NAT (National AIDS Trust) comments.
 

The EU Commission has renewed its efforts to fight HIV and AIDS in the EU and neighbouring countries by adopting A strategy for combating HIV/AIDS in the EU and neighbouring countries 2009-2013.

President Barack Obama has announced that the 22 year old ban on allowing people living with HIV into the United States will be lifted.  HIV infection will be officially removed from the definition of communicable diseases of public health significance as of January 1st, 2010.

Personal, Social, Health and Economic education (PSHE education) will be made compulsory in schools from September 2011

Ed Balls confirmed today that personal, social, health and economic education (PSHE education) including sex and relationships education, will be made compulsory in schools from September 2011.

The 22 year old ban on allowing people living with HIV into the United States has been lifted.  HIV infection has now been officially removed from the definition of communicable diseases of public health significance.

Deborah Jack, Chief Executive of NAT (National AIDS Trust) said;