DHSC says men who have sex with men will no longer be automatically prevented from giving blood
It's hoped an update to rules on who can donate blood on the Isle of Man will come into effect this summer.
The Department of Health and Social Care says a paper outlining amendments, which would enable gay men to donate on the Island for the first time, is being finalised.
Government confirmed it was working to update the criteria last summer after Manx actor Joe Locke spoke out about the current restrictions at Isle of Pride.
The Heartstopper star called for greater equality, highlighting the rule preventing men who have sex with men from donating blood.
Eligibility in the UK was changed to allow gay men to donate in 2021, with the DHSC saying in August last year it would aim to make an announcement in the first quarter of 2023.
Now, in an update issued to Manx Radio, the department has confirmed a paper outlining the amendments is currently in the last phase of gathering feedback, before seeking final approvals.
Pending approval, it's expected that changes to the criteria will come into affect during the summer.
A statement from the DHSC says from then, donors won't be asked about their sexuality, and men who have sex with men would no longer be automatically prevented from giving blood.
Instead, a person's eligibility to donate would be based solely on an assessment of their individual experiences, as part of their pre-donation health check.
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