Changes to donor rules could see additional 15,000 donations a year
The age limit which prevents regular blood donors from continuing to give blood beyond their 70th birthday has been removed, because of the improved health and fitness of older donors, NHS Blood and Transplant announced recently.

The change, which could allow another 15,000 donations to flow into the blood service each year, reflects the fact that older people are staying more active, healthier and younger for longer. Statistics show 1.3million people of retirement age are now in employment1 marking a year-on-year rise of eight per cent and that those over 65 take up to 25 per cent more exercise than they did a decade ago2.

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.”