HC Deb 21 January 1988 vol 125 c844W
Mr. Lawrence

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he has made any assessment of the effectiveness of the donor card scheme: and whether he has plans to improve its effectiveness.

Mrs. Currie

Organ donation is influenced by a number of factors, many of which cannot readily be quantified. It is therefore difficult to estimate separately the effect of donor cards on the number of organs donated. However, our view is that the donor card scheme has played a valuable role, especially when used in conjunction with other publicity initiatives.

We are currently following up a number of recommendations made by a medical royal colleges working party. For further details I refer my hon. Friend to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Tynemouth (Mr. Trotter) on 18 December 1987 at column 934.