The NSW government is set to ease restrictions preventing gay men from donating blood and redress discriminatory red-tape to shore up blood supplies during the coronavirus pandemic.

Independent MP Alex Greenwich on Thursday wrote to Health Minister Brad Hazzard asking the government to consider cutting the time gay men have to wait to give blood after sexual contact from 12 months to three months. "During the current COVID-19 pandemic it is vital that blood donations are available to save lives," Mr Greenwich wrote to Mr Hazzard.

His letter followed new recommendations from the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) that all federal and state governments should adopt the shorter deferral time.

In response, a spokeswoman for NSW Health told the Herald: "The NSW government is committed to ensuring the safety of the blood supply in NSW and will work to have a nationally consistent approach to eligibility for blood donation, in line with TGA guidance." Read more via SMH