HC Deb 19 October 1999 vol 336 cc244-6
7. Mr. Tam Dalyell (Linlithgow)

What discussions he has had with the Scottish Executive on Government policy relating to organ transplants. [92590]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health (Gisela Stuart)

Department of Health officials hold discussions with officials in the Scottish Executive Health Department on matters relating to organ transplants. All countries of the United Kingdom continue to co-operate on transplantation to ensure the effective provision of services including maximising the number of organs available, and that patients receive the best-matched available organs.

Mr. Dalyell

May I wish my hon. Friend well on her first appearance on the Front Bench? Is it not sad that highly personal decisions on the donation of organs have to be made at the moment of maximum grief? That is not the right time to make them. In view of the change of heart by the British Medical Association, is there any change in the thinking of the Government on organ donation and on an amendment to the Human Tissue Act 1961?

Gisela Stuart

I thank my hon. Friend for his kind words. He is right to point out that decisions about organ transplantation have to be made at sensitive times. The current arrangements work on the basis of consent. It is a giving relationship based on a positive step. There have been suggestions that we should have an opt-out system so that decisions on organ donations were made without further discussion. Even countries that have such an opt-out have a system of consultation. We do not want to move away from that. A survey has suggested that 50 per cent. of the population are content with the current arrangements. More importantly, there is no evidence from European countries that have an opt-out that it would increase the number of organs available. The biggest hinderance to organ donations is the place where the death occurs, which often has to be in hospital.

Mr. John Wilkinson (Ruislip-Northwood)

I welcome the hon. Lady to her appointment. Will she address her fresh mind to Government policy on transplantation not just north of the border, but in the London area? Does she recognise the immense merits of Harefield hospital in my constituency, which has an international reputation second to none on the transplantation of hearts and lungs—sometimes both together? Will she ensure that that centre of excellence is built up, not reduced in scale or scope as seems to be the present plan?

Gisela Stuart

The current arrangements on transplantation and the availability of organs are still organised on a UK-wide basis, including Ireland. Every hospital in the country will have the best and most suited organ available, irrespective of funding. It is a question of matching. I am content with the systems that are in place.

Mr. Michael Connarty (Falkirk, East)

I also welcome my hon. Friend and the other sisters who have been promoted to the Front Bench in the recent reshuffle. Is she aware that, when I wrote to my right hon. Friend the former Secretary of State for Health requesting information on transplantation policy, particularly for people with Down's syndrome, I received a letter saying that, as a Scottish Member of Parliament, I should write to the Scottish Parliament about the matter? My request has been addressed again and I have had a reply saying that it will be dealt with properly. Does my hon. Friend accept that the health service often has to provide for people across borders, depending on where a speciality lies? I have had constituents who have had to come to London for particular operations. Will she assure the House that there will be seamless availability of health service provision for people throughout the United Kingdom, particularly for those who suffer from Down's syndrome or some other incapacity?

Gisela Stuart

It is right that health is now a devolved matter, so to some extent my hon. Friend was correctly advised to approach Members of the Scottish Parliament. However, the legal arrangements for transplantation are unusual. While there is theoretically provision for different arrangements north of the border, we should be very concerned if there were not close discussions in preparation. I remind my hon. Friend that the United Kingdom Transplant Support Service Authority and the Unrelated Live Transplant Regulatory Authority work across the United Kingdom despite devolution.