youngy73

has anyone managed to donate blood.i had regularly given blood for 10 years until i came to oz where i am not allowed. they scream out saying our levels are critical but us poms seem prevented from donating. there is apparantly a test you can get done to prove your not a mad cow. can anyone help me out?

DianeOZ

I know it is totally "MAD"! Would be interested to know too.

Pollyana

I have a British mate who works in the main hospital in Hobart - he has been here for over 40 years, but can no longer give blood because he spent 6 months in the UK back in 1981. Its a constant source of annoyance to him, esp working in a hospital, so I think if such a test was available he would know about it and would have passed on the info to me. So, sorry but I don't think there is such a test, or if there is then the Aussie authorities don't use it.

Having said that, if anyone else can come up with a different answer, I;d be pleased to hear about it.

kirsty&al

It's not just poms that are excluded: anyone who was in the UK for a certain amount of time between certain dates is not allowed to donate. I know some Aussies who are excluded.

Regards
Alistair