Organ Donor Cards (Hansard, 19 April 1988)

§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health and Social Security (Lord Skelmersdale)
My Lords, we have recently publicised the organ donor card through a series of advertisements in national newspapers. The advertisements have drawn particular attention to the need for potential donors to discuss their wishes with their families. This campaign is part of a wider initiative to stimulate the availability of organs for transplantation, and follows advice prepared for Ministers by the medical Royal Colleges.

§ Baroness Masham of Ilton
My Lords, I thank the noble Lord for that Answer. Is the noble Lord aware that I took over this Question, which was in the name of Lady Lane-Fox, and I am sure that the whole House will be deeply saddened by her death? She was a very courageous and splendid person. I should like to ask the Minister whether there is an upper and lower age limit for organ donations.

§ Lord Skelmersdale
My Lords, yes, I am aware of the history of this particular Question. Of course the whole House concurs with the sentiments expressed by the noble Baroness, Lady Masham.

Noble Lords
Hear, hear!

§ Lord Skelmersdale
My Lords, as to whether there is a restriction on the age of the donor, there is no such restriction by law but it is for the clinicians involved to decide whether organs are suitable for transplant. That will depend on a number of matters, including the age and physical condition of the donor and the organs involved.

§ Lord Ennals
My Lords, does the Minister agree that Lady Lane-Fox was a shining example of what can be done by disabled people not only for Parliament but also for other disabled people for whom she cared so much?
In relation to the subject of the Question, does the Minister accept that from these Benches we totally support the policy that the Government are pursuing in relation to donor cards?

§ Lord Skelmersdale
My Lords, I am very grateful to the noble Lord, Lord Ennals, on both counts.

Lord Winstanley
My Lords, may I join in expressing our profound regret at the loss of Lady Lane-Fox, whose courage and cheerfulness were an example to us all, able-bodied and disabled alike? Her expertise was invaluable and will be sadly missed, as indeed will she herself.
On the Question, perhaps I may congratulate the Government on solving the problems of distribution in relation to the computerised scheme. However, 1359 there is not much point in solving the distribution problem if the production problem has not been solved. Much more has to be done to make these organs available.

§ Lord Skelmersdale
My Lords, I can advise the House that, following advice from the medical Royal Colleges we are drafting a health circular which will ask health authorities to establish procedures for identifying potential organ donors and referring them to transplant units. That will be issued by the end of the year. Therefore, in essence, I agree with the noble Lord.

§ Lord Auckland
My Lords, may I ask what guidance has been given to the regional health authorities in respect of patients in hospitals with regard to advice on carrying donor cards in return for the admirable treatment which the National Health Service gives to patients from all communities?

§ Lord Skelmersdale
My Lords, perhaps I may advise my noble friend to await the arrival of the circular.

§ Viscount Monckton of Brenchley
My Lords, is the noble Lord aware that many of us are becoming more and more worried about donors and parts of the body which may or may not be given? Perhaps like the Government, we are awaiting some words of wisdom from the Churches, and indeed other religions in this country, on what is right and what is wrong. If one's own wife or child is suffering from something which can be cured by the use of an organ from an aborted foetus, one will selfishly want that to be done. However, is that right? Many of us are becoming more and more worried and we should be grateful for some advice.

§ Lord Skelmersdale
My Lords, I understand the particular worry which the noble Viscount has, which concerns, as I understand it, the use of foetal material. This is a subject which has gained prominence in recent days. The use of that material in this country is subject to the guidelines set down in the code of practice recommended in the report of the advisory group on the use of foetuses and foetal material for research, known as the Peel Report, which was published in 1972. There is no evidence that that code of practice is being abused, but of course we shall consider whether there is need to supplement it.

§ The Countess of Mar
My Lords, can the noble Lord say where the donor cards will be made available? As I understand it, doctors' surgeries are the main source at present, and not everybody visits his or her doctor regularly.

§ Lord Skelmersdale
My Lords, I am afraid I have totally missed the purport of the question of the noble Countess. If she will rephrase it, I shall do my best to answer it.

§ The Countess of Mar
My Lords, can the noble Lord say where the new donor cards will be made available? Perhaps they could be made more easily available to people who wish to donate organs. As I 1360 understand it, in the past they have been available in doctors' surgeries but not in many other places.

§ Lord Skelmersdale
My Lords, recently those cards have been available in post offices and indeed, there is a supply available in the Central Lobby at this moment. However, I agree with the noble Countess that it is necessary to have good stocks more widely available at points where people will regularly seek them. Such places include doctors' surgeries, hospital waiting departments and post offices, and it may well be possible to enter into an arrangement with the banks to hold stocks of these cards.

§ Lord Whaddon
My Lords, is the noble Lord aware of allegations in the press that the computerised system for linking donor with patient in Western Europe and a similar system existing in East Europe are not linked one with the other? Can he say whether or not this story is true and, if it is true, can he say what steps the Government are proposing to take to ensure a link-up in the interests of all?

§ Lord Skelmersdale
My Lords, with the deepest regret, I am unable to confirm or deny such stories, but I shall look into the matter and write to the noble Lord.