§ Mr. AingerTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what proposals she has to bring forward legislation to increase the number of organ transplant donors by requiring individuals and their families to opt out of organ donation rather than opt in; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. SackvilleNone. Increasing the organ donation rate is a Government priority. We do not believe that 121W opt-out legislation would achieve this. We believe that the decision to donate should continue to be a positive choice made by individuals rather than a presumed statutory right.
§ Mr. AingerTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what proposals she has to increase the number of organ transplant donors; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. SackvilleThe Government actively and con-tinuously pursue the promotion of organ donation; more resources are being devoted to publicity than ever before. Examples of current initiatives are
The scheme for reimbursing costs to donor hospitals which has proved effective.A programme of information and training for doctors and nurses developed by the European donor hospital education programme which is being piloted in two regions with the co-operation of the professions concerned.Multi-organ retrieval teams which were introduced in October 1993 to speed up and increase the recovery of organs.The survey into reasons why some relatives refuse permission to use organs; the results are expected this summer.Consideration is being given to a computerised register of organ donors.