Gordon Banks holds Westminster debate calling for change in Organ Donation system

19 March 2008

Ochil & South Perthshire held a debate in the House of Commons last Wednesday (12 March) calling for the Government to make progress regarding a change in the Organ Donation system in the UK. Heath Minister Dawn Primarolo responded to Mr Banks.

Speaking after the debate, Mr Banks said- “This was the latest step in my Organ Donation campaign – to put across my concerns and those of many of my constituents to the Government.”

“I have been working closely with a local paper in my HYPERLINK "http://www.theyworkforyou.com/glossary/?gl=169" \o "In a general election, each Constituency chooses an MP to represent them...." constituency, The Alloa Advertiser, since the end of January to try to promote the positive benefits of an opt-out system, and at same time to encourage donors to sign up to the existing system to ensure that those in need of organs are given the best possible chance of life. At the moment, there is a national focus on the issue, but as with everything, it is transient. We need to keep focused on this issue, as people's lives depend upon it – I hope my debate went someway to keeping the pressure up on Government.”

“I believe the current system is too restrictive, as it does not meet the increasing demands placed on it. Quite simply, the organ donor rate in the HYPERLINK "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UK" UK is unacceptably low, with most European countries having a much higher rate than us—some of them twice or even three times the UK rate.”

“There are more than 7,000 people in the UK on waiting lists for organ donations, and more than 400 people die each year still waiting—more than one person a day. Studies have shown that 90 per cent. of the population support organ donation, yet only 25 per cent. are registered as donors. People are more likely to need a transplant than they are to become an organ donor ”

“I am glad that the Government are making moves to tackle the chronic shortage of organ donors by welcoming the findings of the recent organ donation taskforce report. Let me be clear: I also support the report's findings, but I firmly believe we need to move to an opt-out system as soon as possible.”

“The Government are absolutely committed to increasing the number of organs available for transplantation so that many more people can benefit from that life-saving procedure.”

I was pleased that the Minister touched on the need to oversee the delivery of taskforce recommendations. Her announcement that Professor Sir Bruce Keogh, the medical director of the NHS, will head the group tasked with taking forward their implementation is to be welcomed. I look forward to examining how these proposals develop in the coming months and I await the second organ donation task force report expected this summer.