Blood donation criteria involving gay and bisexual men took a step forward today, but still needs work.
That's the view of HIV Ireland after today's announcement that men who have sex with men will be able to safely donate blood four months after their last sexual contact.
Previously, gay and bisexual men had to wait over a year to participate in the service.
The Irish Blood Transfusion Service says it aims to move to an individualised risk assessment by the end of the year.
Stephen O'Hare from HIV Ireland says the process will take some time to implement:
"There are still some things that we understand have to be ironed out. So we know that there is a delay and I know that people want to see this implemented as quickly as possible and certainly HIV Ireland has been calling for the implementation of individualised risk based assessments. But we understand it is taking some time to put all of the systems necessary in place."
