| Obligatory | 1. All donors must:
a) Fully understand the donation process.
b) Give their informed consent to the process and to the testing of their blood for diseases that may affect its suitability for use.
2. Third party interpreters:
If they are to be present at any part of the selection procedure where there is an exchange of confidential information between the donor and the qualified health professional, they must:
a) Understand the importance of providing an accurate and truthful translation of the information provided, to enable the tissue/cell establishment to comply with regulatory requirements
b) Not be personally known to the donor.
c) Fully understand their duty of confidentiality and the confidential nature of any information obtained from the donor |
| Additional Information | The Services are aware of their duties under Race Relations and Disability Discrimination Legislation and will, whenever and wherever reasonable, try to provide facilities for individuals whose first language is not English, or who have other difficulties in communicating. Every donor must:
a) Complete a health and medical history questionnaire and undergo a personal interview performed by a health professional.
b) Provide informed consent to proceed with the donation process. This consent must be given in the presence of the qualified health professional responsible for obtaining the health history. The qualified health professional may be physically present or in communication with the donor by telephone
A qualified health 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 Blood/Tissue Service. To facilitate comprehension it is permissible to use alternative formats (e.g. a language other than English, audio, computer, Braille) 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 standardized way of assessing comprehension so this will be a personal judgement made by the qualified health 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 need to accurately and truthfully communicate all the information, including personal and confidential information, provided by the person giving consent. 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 blood supply. 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 need to accurately and truthfully communicate all the information, including personal and confidential information, provided by the person giving consent, 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 Blood/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 | 1. To clarify that interpreters and translators do not need to understand all the regulatory requirements of the Human Tissue Act, but are aware of the importance of providing a truthful and accurate translation to enable the tissue/cell establishment to comply with regulatory requirements
2. To clarify that interpreters and translators have a duty of confidentiality
3. To clarify that consent for donation need not be signed by the donor, it can be taken by telephone
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