§ Mr. DobsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) which of the various bodies concerned to progress the ideas combined in the Hoffenberg report have been consulted in the last year; and what was the outcome of those negotiations;
(2) which initiatives to promote organ donation were extended following discussions with the National Health Service;
(3) if he will list those district health authorities which now have an operational policy for organ donation; if he will list the number of potential donors identified in each district health authority in England; and if he will estimate the percentage increase which this represents on the previous year's figure;
(4) if he has any plans to introduce a system of required request so as to increase the number of organ donors.
§ Mr. FreemanFollowing publication of the report of the working party chaired by Sir Raymond Hoffenberg, we prepared a draft circular containing guidance to health authorities on organ donation. After consulting extensively with health authorities, medical bodies and other interested parties we issued health circular HC(88)63 copies of which have been placed in the Library in December 1988. For further details I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Uxbridge (Mr. Shersby) on 13 December 1988 at column555. The working party advised us against the use of required request legislation. The health circular asks district health authorities to draw up operational procedures for organ donation by 30 June 1989. Authorities have also commenced a survey which will enable us to assess the number of potential donors; it is too early to form estimates at this stage,