§ Adam PriceTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent initiatives his Department has implemented to encourage people to become organ donors. [23972]
§ Jacqui SmithThere have been numerous wide-ranging initiatives in England to raise the public's awareness of the shortage of organs for transplantation. The Department runs a public information campaign with a current annual budget of £900,000. A public information leaflet incorporating the organ donor card is widely distributed, and is also available through the Organ Donor Literature line. The campaign is further enhanced by securing free TV airtime for short public information films, a campaign website and partnerships and arrangements with the DVLA, the Passport Agency, rotarian clubs, Boots the Chemist and some banks who have chosen organ donation as a cause to support.
The Department runs a special campaign to raise awareness among members of the Asian Community. This includes short TV films featuring well known Asian personalities and leaflets in various languages. Awareness is also raised by maintaining a presence at cultural and religious events, and by facilitation of debate on this issue at forums set up within Asian communities. Phase three of this campaign was launched in September this year.
A similar campaign targeting the African and African-Caribbean communities is planned for launch in spring 2002. The campaign will feature a public information leaflet, targeting advertising and public relations.
The Department funds the work of the voluntary organisations through the Section 64 Grant Scheme, including a major initiative to raise awareness by the National Kidney Research Fund. We are also helping to promote the Transplant Partnership's 2001 Christmas initiative "sign one more card this Christmas" by using the specially designed franking stamp and encouraging other organisations to do the same.