§ Mr. David PorterTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what is her policy on assisting the voluntary donation of organs of the body both before death and after death; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. Sackville[holding answer 18 July 1994]: The Government encourage people to donate their organs after death; are committed to increasing the supply of donor organs for transplantation; and have introduced a number of initiatives to this end. In March 1993, the use of television advertising was used for the first time and this was followed up with a further television campaign last March. Also from 1 March last year, all new driving licences now contain a donor declaration box. Other measures include improved procedures for hospitals and staff involved in organ procurement, a reimbursement scheme for hospitals whose intensive care units look after potential donors, research into the reasons why some 221W relatives refuse permission to use organs and a feasibility study into a computerised national register of organ donors. Publicity material is made available to the public in support of organ donation and the donor card scheme.
222WThe possibility of donation by a live donor is a very serious matter requiring expert counselling of the patient and the potential donor by experienced doctors. The final decision to participate in such a procedure must remain with the potential donor.