Dewar family took 'brave decision' to let organs be transplanted

Published on Wednesday 5 March 2008 20:55

THE family of former First Minister Donald Dewar took the "brave" decision to allow his organs to be donated for transplant, MSPs heard yesterday.

Speaking during a debate on the future of organ donation in Scotland, Labour MSP David Whitton told of Mr Dewar's death in 2000 and the dilemma his children faced.

There had been a delay in Mr Dewar's case while the family waited on a transplant co-ordinator, according to the MSP, who was an adviser to Mr Dewar at the time.

"Those of us who were dealing with the incident were going through all the emotion that you have to deal with when something terrible happens to someone you are very close to," he said.

"One minute you are in casualty and consultants are treating the patient and you are hoping things will improve.

"Next you are dealing with the terrible information that the patient's condition is not going to improve, and is terminal."

He added: "I don't know if Donald expressed any views to his family about organ donation. What I do know is they took a very brave and sensitive decision that they believed their dad would have wanted his organs to be used by someone in need and they gave permission."

In the debate, health secretary Nicola Sturgeon reiterated that she was "increasingly sympathetic" to a system of presumed consent for organ donation.

Her comments came on the same day as the Scottish Government launched a publicity campaign to increase the number of people signing up for donation.

Ms Sturgeon told MSPs: "The fact is, in spite of all our efforts to date, Scotland's organ donation rate is the lowest in the UK, at 9.8 per million population."

Fewer than a third of Scots, 29 per cent, have joined the register despite recent research indicating that 93 per cent of adults back organ donation.

Ms Sturgeon highlighted the UK organ donation task force report of January, which aimed to increase the rate of organ donation. The task force is to report this year on its recommended system of presumed consent.

She said a "full and open" debate was needed on the issue.

Labour's shadow health secretary Margaret Curran gave her support to Ms Sturgeon, but during the debate, concerns were raised by other parties about the introduction of such a system.

Tory health spokeswoman Mary Scanlon said: "A donation is willingly given, it is not willingly taken, whether by state or anyone else."

Both the BMA, which has led the debate on the introduction of the system and UK Transplant welcomed Ms Sturgeon's words, though they said it could only be effective if it was implemented with a bolstering of the current organ transplant system.

Q & A: A MATTER OF CHOICE

What does the concept of presumed consent mean?

In the event of your death, it will be automatically assumed that, unless you have opted out, you consent to your organs being taken.

Does such a system exist elsewhere in Europe?

Yes, in Spain, where it is credited as a major factor in boosting the number of organs available for transplant and is held up as a possible template for any Scottish system.

Why do some people object to this system?

Experts and politicians say that the term "presumed consent" is nonsensical, because consent is something that can only be given willingly by the person, not presumed.

Medical ethicist Professor Sheila McLean said: "I think it's a very dangerous slope to go down, presuming consent in any situation."

What alternatives have been offered?

Critics of the system have claimed that more investment in the current donor framework is needed and say a campaign emphasising the benefits of making a personal choice to "opt in" would be equally effective.