§ Sir John Farrasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what success has been achieved in his Department's campaign to promote the donation of kidneys; if he will introduce a national scheme akin to the computerised North-West Kidney Lifeline scheme; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John PattenIn the 12 months following the launch in February 1984 of our campaign to increase public awareness of the benefits of organ transplantation and to promote the donor card scheme, over 12.5 million new donor cards have been issued and the number of kidney transplants performed have risen by 30 per cent. over the previous year. Further publicity to maintain the campaign's momemtum has been arranged.
We are reviewing the achievements and experiences of the North-West Kidney Lifeline scheme, but it is too early to say whether it might be suitable for application outside its present area of operation.