CHANGES have been made to the guidelines over who can become a blood donor today.

The premanent exclusion of men who have sex with men from donating blood has been lifted.

Now men can become a blood donor if their last sexual contact with another man was more than 12 months ago.

The changes follow a recommendation by the Advisory Committee on the Safety of Blood, Tissues and Organs, who had carried out an evidence based review of the donor criteria.

It will mean more people will be able to boost blood stocks, which historically fall during the winter months.

Dr Lorna Williamson, NHS Blood and Transplant’s medical and research director said: “Our priority as a blood service is to provide a safe and sufficient supply of blood for patients. This change gives us an opportunity to broaden our donor acceptance on the basis of the latest scientific evidence.”