'Tell family if you wish to be an organ donor'

Published on Monday 9 June 2008 22:51

POTENTIAL organ donors were yesterday urged by health secretary Nicola Sturgeon to tell their relatives about their wishes.

Relatives at present refuse permission in nearly half of all cases of potential donation.

"The evidence shows that where relatives know their loved one wanted to donate, they will usually consider it their duty to make sure those wishes are fulfilled," said Ms Sturgeon.

"The key, therefore, is for people who want to donate their organs to tell their loved ones what their wishes are."

She was addressing a conference of doctors from across Scotland on the issue of "presumed consent" for organ donation.

The gathering at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh was studying whether the system is the only way of tackling a donor shortage or if other, less controversial options, could be as effective.

While 90 per cent of the population supports organ donation in principle, only 25 per cent of the population has actually joined the NHS organ donor register.

Under "presumed consent", suitable organs would be collected unless a patient had chosen to "opt out". The issue is currently being considered by a UK organ donation task force which is due to report this summer.