Disabled donor - Tissue - live donors

Essential information

Obligatory

1. All donors must:
   1. Fully understand the donation process.
   2. Give their informed consent to the process and to the testing of their blood for diseases that may affect the suitability of their tissues for use.
      
      
2. Third party interpreters:
   If they are to be present at any part of the selection procedure were there is an exchange of confidential information between the donor and the qualified healthcare professional, they must:
   1. Understand the requirements of the Human Tissue Act relevant to the donation process.
   2. Not be personally known to the donor.

Discretionary

Donors with difficulty in reading:

Ensure by questioning the donor that they:

1. Understand and fully complete the tick-box questionnaire.
2. Give valid consent to donation and to the testing of their blood for diseases that may affect its suitability for use.

Supporting information

See if relevant

• Spina bifida

Additional information

The UK Blood and Tissue Services are aware of their duties under Disability Discrimination Legislation and will, whenever and wherever reasonable, try to provide facilities for disabled individuals.

Every donor must:

1. Be provided with accurate educational materials, which are written in terms which can be understood by members of the general public.
2. Complete a health and medical history questionnaire and undergo a personal interview performed by a healthcare professional.
3. Provide written informed consent to proceed with the donation process which must be countersigned by the qualified healthcare professional responsible for obtaining the health history.
   
   

A qualified healthcare professional may assist a donor in the completion of the health and medical history questionnaire and in understanding the consent statement and any other information provided by the Tissue Service. To facilitate comprehension, it is permissible to use alternative formats (e.g. audio, Braille, computer or alternative language) for the donor information leaflets, the health and medical history questionnaire and consent statements. The donor must be able to clearly demonstrate they have understood this material. At present, there is no standardised way of assessing comprehension so this will be a personal judgement made by the qualified healthcare professional.

Use of third party interpreters:

It is permissible for any third party to act as an enabler by helping to reassure the donor and to assist in establishing effective communication between the donor and the qualified health professional. The third party must not however be present during any exchange of confidential information, unless they are not personally known to the donor and understand the requirements of that part of the Human Tissue Act relevant to the donation process. Confidential parts of the process include the evaluation of the health and medical history questionnaire, the medical interview and the obtaining of valid consent.

Rationale:

There is concern that the use of third parties during any exchange of confidential information between the donor and the qualified health professional may compromise the confidentiality of the donor and the safety of the donation. Interpreters are often part of a close community, or a family member, and this may inhibit or embarrass the potential donor in any confidential exchange of information. This may result in the non-disclosure of sensitive information that could affect the individual's eligibility to donate. If a third party is not fully aware of the relevant aspects of the Human Tissue Act this may make the interpretation of information incomplete and potentially put both the donor and any donated tissue at risk. There is also a requirement to communicate the results of any testing performed by the Tissue Services that may be of relevance to the donor's health in a way that protects their confidentiality. The continuing availability of an independent interpreter, to maintain donor confidentiality, should be taken into account when deciding if an individual donor may be accepted.

Reason for change:

This is a revised entry to clarify the use of interpreters by the Blood & Tissue Services.

Version details:

TL-DSG Edition 203 Release 02 (03 December 2007)