New calls for organ donor opt-out

[okarol]

New calls for organ donor opt-out

Doctors' leaders have renewed calls for an organ donation scheme that presumes a person's consent.

Story from BBC NEWS
Published: 2007/07/05 18:33:37 GMT

A new law aimed at increasing the number of transplants was passed by MSPs last year.

But the British Medical Association Scotland said there was a "desperate shortage of organs" and called for consultation on an opt-out scheme.

The Scottish Executive said there had previously been little support for a presumed consent scheme.

The rules were updated last year so that a person's organs could be used if they had given consent before their death, either by signing a donor card or indicating by word of mouth to relatives.

Otherwise, their family are asked what their wishes would have been.

The number of donors in Scotland has increased since the legislation was brought in.

However, the number of people on the transplant waiting list has also risen to more than 800 - an all time high.

   
ORGAN DONATION RATES
Belgium, which has an opt-out system, had a donation rate of 20.8 per million of population in 2004
The Czech Republic, which has an opt-out system, had a donation rate of 20.5 per million of population in 2004
The UK, which relies on a register, had a donation rate of 12.3 per million of the population in 2004

BMA Scotland claimed 90% of the population supported organ donation, yet only 23% had signed up to the register.

Spokesman Dr George Fernie said: "A change to a system of presumed consent for organ donation addresses this problem, by making donation the default position from which people may opt out during their lifetime if they so wish.

"It is not acceptable to reject presumed consent without at least making a clear effort to determine what the public's opinion is on this matter.

"International experience shows that presumed consent improves donation rates and we would like to see a public debate on this issue to ascertain the best way forward."

However, Health Minister Shona Robison said new legislation, which had strengthened the system of opting-in, should remain in place.

"Extensive consultation was carried out at the time and little support was demonstrated for a system of presumed consent," she said.

"Current legislation has been strengthened to give more weight to the wishes of the deceased, so that their wish to donate organs is carried out after their death.

"A time might come when it will be possible to move to a system of presumed consent, but that time is not now."

Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/6273604.stm