HC Deb 13 December 1988 vol 143 cc549-50W
43. Mr. Kirkhope

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on progress on the current campaign on donor cards.

Mrs. Currie

As a result of the Department's advertising campaign and media concern, particularly television, public interest in organ donation is high. So far this year some 14 million cards have been distributed compared with 5 million last year.

The range of high street outlets for the cards has been considerably extended through the Department's recent joint venture with the Healthcare Foundation and other initiatives are being discussed. The Departments of Health and Social Security recently issued donor cards to all members of staff.

Kidney transplants in the United Kingdom have risen by 76 per cent. between 1979 and 1987 and other organ transplants have also increased. This year has been a particularly good year for transplants. Because of excellent publicity at the beginning of the year, the first six months saw a 32 per cent. increase in transplants over last year. We expect that 1989 will be a record year for donations.