Northern Ireland’s lifetime ban on the donation of blood by men who have had sex with men (MSM) has officially been lifted today.

The ban has been replaced by a one-year deferral, as announced in June, bringing Northern Ireland in line with England, Scotland and Wales.

Men whose last sexual contact with another man was more than 12 months ago will be free to donate blood if they meet the other donor selection criteria.

Men who have had anal or oral sex with another man in the past year, with or without a condom, will still not be eligible to donate blood.

The policy change follows a Court of Appeal ruling in March, which overturned the High Court’s previous decision that the blood ban was irrational and infected with apparent bias.

Health Minister Michelle O’Neill said: “As Health Minister my first responsibility in this matter is patient safety.

“Surveillance data from England, Scotland and Wales and survey evidence from across the UK have provided assurance that the risk is lower with a one-year deferral. My decision is based on the evidence regarding the safety of donated blood.”

The change will be implemented by the Blood Transfusion Service (NIBTS) from today and means the criteria will be in line with other groups who are deferred from giving blood for 12 months due to infection risks associated with sexual behaviours.