MSPs 'not persuaded' opt-out organ donation plan 'best way' to increase numbers
There is no clear evidence that introducing an opt-out system for organ donation would increase the number of donors coming forward, a majority of MSPs on Holyrood's Health Committee have found.
There is no clear evidence that introducing an opt-out system for organ donation would increase the number of donors coming forward, a majority of MSPs on Holyrood's Health Committee have found.
Labour MSP Anne McTaggart had introduced a member's bill in a bid to change the law.
But only a minority of MSPs backed her on this, with the majority stating they were not persuaded'' this would be an effective way of increasing donor numbers.
Committee convener Duncan McNeil said: As a committee we have to consider all the evidence placed in front of us and it was clear that there are differing views about the best way to increase donation rates.
Whilst the committee supported the aim behind the legislation, a majority couldn't support the detail.'' But he added:A minority of the Committee do consider that this Bill should be introduced immediately.
Now that the committee has reported on the Bill, the full Parliament will decide whether the legislation should progress.''
The committee report on the Transplantation (Authorisation of Removal of Organs etc.) (Scotland) Bill said there were serious concerns over the practical implications'' of parts of the proposals.
But most MSPs agreed that along with ongoing efforts to increase organ donation rates that there may be merit in developing a workable soft opt-out system for Scotland''.
As a result they said the Scottish Government should begin work on a detailed consultation into further methods to boost the donation rate, including a soft opt-out system, early in the next Parliament.
Mr McNeil stated: There is no doubt that this legislation has sparked interest in how we increase organ donation in Scotland.
A majority of the committee had concerns over the practical implications of the proposed Bill and therefore want to see the Scottish Government prepare a consultation in order to identify further ways that we can increase organ donation in Scotland.''
Public health minister Maureen Watt had told the committee the Scottish Government would consider consulting on an opt-out system after monitoring the impact of similar legislation in Wales.
Ms McTaggart had proposed that organs and tissues could be removed from an adult after death if they had not registered or expressed an objection during their lifetime.
But families would be consulted about this in a bid to establish any objection that had not been registered.
Ms McTaggart said: I'm extremely disappointed with the committee's report, which makes sorry reading for the hundreds of people across Scotland who are currently waiting on an organ transplant.
This Bill, and the general principle of soft opt-out, is about saving lives now, not at some point in the future.
It's frustrating to read that while the committee agree that there is merit in introducing soft opt-out here in Scotland, the majority were not able to support the general principles of my Bill which could make this happen.
The report states that the evidence does not show that a move to 'soft opt-out' would save lives.
This is despite NHS Blood and Transplant stating in their evidence to the committee that the Bill could lead to an extra 70 donors per year in Scotland - an increase which they describe as 'transformational'.''
Holyrood as a whole will consider the Bill on February 9, with the Labour MSP adding: I don't believe we can afford to wait any longer while people are needlessly dying in need of a transplant.''