§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will outline the results of recent television and press advertising campaign for the organ card scheme; if he can give details of statistics available on kidney transplantation since the start of the campaign; if he will intensify this campaign; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John PattenSince the launch on 22 February of the Government campaign to increase public awareness of the benefits of organ transplantation and to promote the donor card scheme, more than 11 million additional donor cards have been distributed together with about 500,000 leaflets, 200,000 posters and 100,000 car stickers. During the first six months of the campaign about 40 per cent. more kidney transplants were performed in the United Kingdom than in the equivalent period last year. The 1983 annual total of 1,160, which was itself a record, was passed earlier this month. The availability of hearts, livers and corneas for transplantation has also improved.
These results are most encouraging, but there are still about 2,500 patients waiting for a kidney transplant. We are satisfied at present that the momentum of the campaign is being maintained, but we are constantly monitoring results and considering whether new initiatives are called for. Other forms of publicity on the need for organs have and will play their part.