Letter: Organ opt-outs

In response to your article on organ donation (14 February), I would like to clarify that the restarting of a patient’s heart would not mean that the patient would still be alive, as suggested by the Catholic Church of Scotland spokesman.

In these cases, an individual has been declared dead. The diagnosis of death refers to the person as a whole and not to their individual organs.

I would also like to reassure the public, in response to concerns that a doctor may see a patient as a source of organs, decisions are made in the best interests of each individual patient and there is always a clear separation between the treating team and the transplant team.

Under an opt-out system individuals have exactly the same choice as in an opt-in system – to donate or not donate.

However, we feel that an opt-out system gives added protection to those who do not wish to donate and makes it more likely that those who are willing to donate will be able to do so.

(Dr) Sue Robertson

British Medical Association

Queen Street

Edinburgh