Heart foundation backs organ fight

Published on Sunday 21 October 2007 01:03

SCOTLAND on Sunday's campaign for a "presumed consent" system of organ donation took a major step forward last night when the British Heart Foundation backed calls for a change in the law.

The move comes at a time when more than 7,000 people across the UK are awaiting transplants.

At present, only people who have signed up for a donor scheme can have their organs removed, but calls are growing for consent for donation to be presumed unless relatives specifically object.

It is estimated that any change could see the lives of around 500 Scots saved each year.

Scotland on Sunday has been backing moves to change the law and earlier this month revealed how the chief medical officer, Dr Harry Burns, was "completely behind" the plan.

However, a spokesman for the British Heart Foundation warned that, if the move did go ahead, additional funding would be required to cope with the increased number of operations taking place as a result of the extra organs available.

Yesterday, Ben McKend-rick, policy and publicity officer for BHF (Scotland), said: "It is quite clear that the public supports this, and it is especially strong in Scotland.

"There has been quite a lot of interest after stories about waiting lists for operations which can transform people's lives. The Scottish people, in particular, appear to be very receptive to that."

But he added: "If the Government does move towards this change then it has to be backed up financially. That is absolutely crucial. It is very important to show that the money will be there for us to make the most of this change."

He said the majority of the population backed the idea of an opt-out system of organ donation but, at present, only a minority actually carried a donor card.

His views were backed by Labour MSP George Foulkes, who said: "I'm absolutely delighted to hear that the British Heart Foundation is now backing the campaign to change the law on organ donation.

"Both this Government and the one before it shied away from an opt-out system because they didn't believe there was enough professional or public support for a change in the law."

Last week, a British Medical Association survey claimed 64% of those taking part thought Britain should adopt the new system.

Dr Tony Calland, chairman of the BMA's medical ethics committee, said: "These figures demonstrate that support amongst the public is growing for presumed consent.

"We need to build on this support to ensure that people understand that there will never be compulsion to donate. There will always be a choice and people who do not wish to donate will be free to opt out."

Scottish Health Secretary Nicolas Sturgeon said:

"The Scottish Government believes that there is a need for a debate on the issue and the Organ Donation Task Force is currently looking at the area of presumed consent and will make recommendations to all UK health ministers."