HC Deb 23 November 1999 vol 339 cc92-3W
26. Mr. Hilary Benn

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps the Government are taking to increase the number of organ donors. [98951]

Mr. Denham

The Organ Donor Publicity Campaign was launched in October 1998 and was reinforced in February by a campaign targeting the South Asian community. We shall continue to build on these campaigns to encourage people to join the NHS Organ Donor Register, to carry the Donor Card at all times and most importantly make their wishes known to their family and friends.

We shall be developing a further campaign to inform the medical profession about best practice in requesting organ donation.

Additionally, in line with the drive to improve the quality of care for all users of the NHS, we shall seek to ensure that best practice is adopted in all units involved in donation and transplantation. We shall also support best practice in live donation, which has increased significantly over the last few years.