§ Mr. Bob RussellTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people in each health authority are awaiting(a) heart transplants and (b) other organ transplants; and if he will make a statement. [99763]
94W
§ Mr. DenhamCopies of the information requested have been placed in the Library.
We are concerned about the shortage of organs for transplantation and that was why we launched the organ donor publicity campaign in October 1998, 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 National Health Service 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.