"We see no evidence that removing nurses from donor screening is safe or needed" says MNU President Sandi Mowat. "We know from the Krever report that the safety of the blood supply has been compromised in the past because of a drive for cost-efficiency, yet CBS insists on taking chances anyway."

CFNU commissioned external research on blood donor practices that found: 

• CBS proposed donation model is not aligned with international best practices. In most other OECD countries nurses and/or doctors are routinely used to screen potential blood donors, contrary to CBS' claim that they are not;
• there is no compelling evidence that the use of low-skilled, unregulated workers will ensure the safety of the blood supply or donor health; and
• CBS can address the issue or nurse retention and recruitment by improving the quality of their workplaces.

"Research shows that the elimination of nurses from direct care in other healthcare sectors causes greater rates of error and worsening health outcomes for patients," says Linda Silas, CFNU President.  "The evaluation process on a matter of such public interest must be independent, transparent and participatory."

Visit Safe Blood and show your support for keeping nurses in the screening process by sending an email to the Minister of Health.