Setback on 'soft opt-out' organ donation

  The fight must continue to change the system around organ donation, the BMA said after a setback in the Scottish Parliament. A private member’s bill that would introduce an ‘opt-out’ system to Scotland has not received the backing of the cross-party health and sport committee. In its stage one report on the Transplantation (Authorisation of Removal of Organs etc) (Scotland) Bill, the majority of committee members said they could not support the bill at this time. BMA Scotland council member Sue Robertson, who is an associate specialist in renal medicine in Dumfries, said it was disappointing — and that delays would mean more lives lost. She added: ‘With over 570 people in Scotland waiting for transplants, the BMA believes that a soft opt-out system, as part of the overall package to increase donation, would save more lives. ‘As a doctor who looks after patients, both waiting for and having received organs, I see the difference that a transplant makes to my patients’ lives.   'Gift' of life ‘Organ donation is a “gift” which has the potential to transform the lives of others, which is why I feel so passionately that we need to act now to do all we can to increase the number of organs available for transplantation.’ Dr Robertson said a properly implemented and resourced opt-out system could save or transform people’s lives. She said: ‘All the time we waste now means that more lives will ...
Source: BMA News - Category: UK Health Source Type: news