Blood donor age limit is increased
Updated on 16 December 2008
Blood donors will be able to continue donating after their 70th birthdays under new rules.
It is hoped the move will result in an extra 15,000 donations each year.
Current rules state that older people cannot continue to donate blood past the age of 70.
But this has now changed so that existing donors who have given blood in the past two years can continue after their 70th birthday.
However, the new rule does not cover people wishing to donate for the first time - the age limit for new donors will remain at 65.
NHS Blood and Transplant said improved fitness and health among older donors had resulted in the change.
Lynda Hamlyn, chief executive of NHS Blood and Transplant, said: "Our older donors are amongst our most loyal and many want to keep giving beyond their 70th birthday.
"We continually review our donor criteria and given the steady improvement we have seen over recent years in the general fitness of our older donors, it is now safe for us to remove our upper age limit for donation.
"Those who have donated in the last two years will be able to continue giving as long as they meet our donor selection rules."
Gordon Lishman, director general of Age Concern, said: "Many older blood donors will welcome the news that their age will no longer prevent them from donating blood, allowing them to continue contributing to this vital service."
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