Acupuncture and Blood Donation

[alamolicious]

Folks,

I am confused. As a blood donor I get a questionnaire everytime I attend asking me various lifestyle questions - very understandable- but one of them is whether I have received acupuncture in the last 6 months. If I have, I have to wait 6 months before donating unless the treatment was done by the NHS and have a certificate. Are they insane? I understand the hygiene and infection risks but any TCM/5 Elementpractitioner registered under the British Acupuncture Council surely has to comply with a strict code of practice?

I was wondering if anyone else had any experience of this since I am considering writing to the BAC and the Blood Service.

I have a donation session booked next week and am going to ask then. I really don't want to stop being a donor as I have one of the rarer blood types but this really gets me frustrated! I would love to try acupuncture as it is an area I would consider getting trained in but I never buy before I try.


Any thoughts????

 

[Domestic Goddess]

In these sad days where people can get sued at the drop of a hat, I suppose they are trying to protect themselves. I agree that it seems a bit silly though. Will be interesting to see what they say.

June

 

[Mearbonou]

In thi sday and age there is soemhting called "single use sterile needles" (well, migh tno be th eoffical name, but you get the idea). Yes, any registered acupuncturist has to comply with hygiene standards.

As for trying before buying, I couldn't agree more. You don't want to train in a therapy you do not like receiving!

Artemis

 

[EnglishChel]

Hi Kate... This is really bizarre.
If you are treated with acupuncture by any member of the British Acupuncture Council,you should be eligible to give blood. As a member myself, I have a little booklet of Blood Donation Certificates, so I can fill one in for my patients to take along to the donation centre. I did this just last week wthout any problems.
If something has changed recently, I certainly wasn't informed about it, but I will check with the British Acupuncture Council asap and get back to you!

Aragorn

 

[mmmm....]

Hi again,
This is from the National Blood Service website.
("Who can donate" (main menu) --- > "Who can't give blood" (menu on bottom left side))
6 You've had acupuncture in the last 6 months outside the NHS (unless you can produce the approved certificate from your acupuncturist or physiotherapist).

So that's the certificate I'm talking about. Any BAcC member can write one for you.
If you go through the site's survey instead, you get this text:
Have you had acupuncture, ear piercing, body piercing, tatooing or semi-permanent make-up in the last 6 months?[/align] Please wait 6 months from receiving any of these treatments unless your acupuncture was done by the NHS and you have a certificate.

Seems to me that they are sending a mixed or confusing message. I've asked the BAcC if we might get it re-worded.

Aragorn x
[/align]

 

[thatswhatshesaid22]

Thanks for clarifying that Aragorn. I too have heard there is some confusion concerning blood donation and acupuncture.

Tahora

 

[mur2d2]

All,

Thanks for that, I was very confused. I think it was the reference to the NHS that got me! This is also a relief as I would really like to try some acupuncture but have been putting it off because of this.

Kate