Belfast Council employees to get paid time for blood and bone marrow donations

Belfast Council civil servants are to receive paid time to give blood and donate bone marrow.

At a committee meeting at CIty Hall, elected representatives agreed to two Alliance Party motions, one on blood and marrow donations, and the other on staff training for epilepsy.

A motion proposed by Alliance Councillor Michael Long, and seconded by the High Sheriff, DUP Councillor Sammy Douglas, states Belfast Council notes the fact that Northern Ireland has the highest prevalence of Epilepsy in the UK.

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It agrees to “consider” providing better education about epilepsy, as well as training for staff and councillors in how to deal with seizures and other episodes.

A second motion, tabled by Alliance Councillor Christine Bower and seconded by Councillor Tara Brooks, states: “This council recognises that donating blood and bone marrow is one of the most precious things a person can do as it can help to save a life.

“Our council wants to encourage any eligible staff to take part in regular blood donation by providing them with appropriate time off to do so. This motion requests that we provide our staff with adequate paid time to take part in the selfless act of giving blood and/or to donate bone marrow.

“We also request that the council explore ways in which they can make it easier for staff to donate blood, such as blood donation events at the workplace.”

At the November meeting of the council’s Strategic Policy and Resources Committee, Alliance Councillor Michael Long said: “With my (epilepsy) diagnosis earlier in the year, I was interested to see how many other people were affected, and I really want to promote the issue, and try to inform people about it. Epilepsy is more prevalent in Northern Ireland than anywhere else on these islands, so I am hoping we can do an education piece.

“I want us to particularly look at the impact of people having seizures, and how council staff and councillors can have a better idea of how to deal with that scenario.”

Alliance Councillor Jenna Maghie said: “(Blood and bone marrow donations) are very personal issues to both Councillor Bower and Councillor Brooks, and I want to also acknowledge the work that Councillor Áine Groogan did around bone marrow donations when she was Deputy Lord Mayor.

“The motivation here is for City Hall to be a real trailblazer, and set an example for other employers, and provide a great opportunity for employees.”

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