A male doctor was stopped from giving blood after he refused to say whether or not he was pregnant.
Steffen McAndrew was turned away from the Scottish NHS blood donation centre in Ayr.
He said the question was “bonkers”.
Dr McAndrew had been a regular donor before the Covid-19 pandemic and was now returning to give blood.
However, a nurse said he would not be allowed to give blood unless he answered the question.
Dr McAndrew said that he was a man and “therefore I cannot be pregnant”.
Dr McAndrew told The Herald:
“I can’t believe they would refuse a donation from a man based on the fact I refused to say if I was pregnant.
“I can also understand those who have suggested, ‘just tick the box’, to enable a donation.
“However, it is the principle of the matter.
“To say it is bonkers is an understatement.
“I have a nagging feeling that it is political correctness gone too far, trying to placate and pacify the gender-brigade.
“I am hugely supportive of the Blood Transfusion Service.
“They are vital to the day-to-day operation of the NHS.
“But I really think they are shooting themselves in the foot with this.
“It’s a fundamental problem in the NHS (and society) that common sense has been lost, obliterated.”
A spokesman for the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service (SNBTS) said:
“Since April 2022, SNBTS asks all donors to complete the following question on the donor health check ‘Are you pregnant, or have you been pregnant in the last six months?’.
“This question is asked for donor safety.
“Giving blood may be harmful for individuals who are pregnant, or who have been pregnant recently.
“We appreciate that for many donors (including some female donors such as post-menopausal donors) this question will not be relevant.
“Following donor feedback, we are planning to update the wording of the question to ‘Are you pregnant, or have you been pregnant in the last six months? (If not applicable, please tick no)’.
“This is likely to be implemented at the next donor health check update due in Summer 2023.”
