Sheffield MP calls for paid holiday for organ donors
Organ donors should be guaranteed the right to paid holiday so they can recover from operations without losing out at work, according to an MP in South Yorkshire.
Organ donors should be guaranteed the right to paid holiday so they can recover from operations without losing out at work, according to an MP in South Yorkshire. Labour's Louise Haigh said those people willing to help save lives should know the law will "back you up every step of the way''. Ms Haigh wants to introduce statutory leave for donors which also ensures their employee rights, terms and conditions and entitlements remain the same when they return. She has brought forward the proposals after being made aware of a man who was allowed just three days off work after donating bone marrow to an anonymous blood cancer patient. Recovery time following an operation varies for each patient, with some NHS guidance suggesting the operation and recovery period for a kidney transplant can take between two and 12 weeks. Ms Haigh's Organ Donors (Leave) Bill aims to reassure donors and potentially stop hundreds of people dying while waiting for a transplant. The Sheffield Heeley MP said: "We are already chronically short of donors and we should be breaking down every conceivable barrier put in the way of these potential life savers. "Recovery time can often be long for living organ donors and they should be able to concentrate on getting back to normal, not rush back to work because they are unable to afford the time off or fearful that their job may be at risk. "Young people, in particular, will be fearful that if they take as much as the recommended 12 weeks off work, they may be disadvantaged and this will put off many of the most healthy from becoming a living organ donor. "My Bill will send a clear signal that if you are prepared to give an organ to save a life, the law will back you up every step of the way.'' Ms Haigh's office said the Bill has support from a cross-party group of MPs, including Tory Health Select Committee chairwoman Sarah Wollaston, and employers such as Aviva and Wickes. It is unlikely to become law if it fails to secure enough parliamentary time to progress through the required stages or without Government support. Ms Haigh will move her Bill in the Commons on Tuesday.