HC Deb 30 June 2003 vol 408 c139W
Mr. Wray

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures have been taken since 1997 to increase the numbers of people with donor cards; and if he will make a statement on the role of donors within the NHS. [121131]

Ann Winterton

People are encouraged to join the national health service organ donor register through a number of initiatives, including when they apply for a driving licence, register with a new general practitioner, apply for a new passport or, where available, complete the organ donor registration form sent out by their local authorities annually when they check the electoral register. Additionally, UK Transplant runs publicity campaigns and targets action to raise the profile of organ donation, including specific advertising and information campaigns to increase organ donation from the South Asian and black African and Caribbean populations.

Since the beginning of 1997, more than seven million names have been added to the organ donor register.