March 21, 2004 Coventry Evening Telegraph by KAREN HAMBRIDGE FEARS

Dr John Reid was due this afternoon to say the ban would apply to all those who have had transfusions since 1980.

The move comes after the government announced in December that a patient died of the disease, the human version of BSE, after receiving blood years earlier from a donor who contracted vCJD.

The case was the first of its kind recorded in the world and prompted concern from doctors, MPs and the public.

The government said 15 others were known to have received blood from people who subsequently developed vCJD and were being contacted.

At the time the Department of Health said although a coincidence could not be ruled out, the chances of both donor and recipient independently falling victim to the killer brain disease were remote.

About 1.7 million people in the UK regularly donate blood and it is estimated 50,000 could be affected by the ban.

This has raised concerns that vital blood stocks could run dangerously low as regular donors are barred from donating.

Margaret Bowcutt, of Lentons Lane, Hawkesbury, who has given blood for more than 30 years, said she hoped the move did not affect supplies.

The 69-year-old who used to work in administration for West Midlands Transport, became a donor after her youngest son Tony needed a transfusion when he was born.

She gave her last donation - her 131st - a week and a half ago as she turns 70 in May, the age of retirement for donors.

Mrs Bowcutt said: "The blood service are very, very thorough with their checks so I would imagine it would be one chance in a million of getting anything.

"I suppose the government have to be cautious, although sometimes I think they are being cautious over the wrong things.

"I hope it will not have to much of an impact on donation. It is quite frightening how much blood is needed - there are so many accidents and so many instances where blood is needed, it really is life-saving."

Karen Jennings, head of health at health workers' union Unison, said the ban was "a sensible precautionary measure" which would boost public confidence in the safety of blood supplies.