MSPs back 'opt-out' donor system

There is a shortage of transplant organs in Scotland

A move to increase organ donations in Scotland has been backed by MSPs.

A proposal to introduce presumed consent for organ donation has gained cross-party support, with 20 members already behind the proposed change.

If successful, John Farquhar Munro's bill would establish an "opt-out" system to address the current serious shortage of transplant organs.

Under the current donor card system Scotland has one of the lowest donation rates in Europe.

Around 70% of people in the UK claim they are willing to donate organs, but only 15% bother registering on the NHS organ donor register.

Life-saver

Mr Munro, the Liberal Democrat MSP for Ross, Skye & Inverness West, said countries such as Belgium and Spain had seen increases in donations under opt-out schemes and had saved hundreds of lives.

He said: "With more than 400 people in Scotland in desperate need of an organ transplant, I think the executive should give serious consideration to any proposals which aim to boost their chances of survival."

The British Medical Association supports the system and is pushing Westminster to introduce it under proposed new laws.

We are not yet convinced an opt-out system is the right way forward but we will also look at (the) bill and consider that in due course Jack McConnell First minister

First Minister Jack McConnell acknowledged the shortage of registered donors during Thursday's first minister's questions.

However, he said the Scottish Executive was "not yet convinced" presumed consent was the best way forward.

Mr McConnell said: "I'm very conscious of the importance of this issue and also of the cross-party support that exists for the position outlined by John Farquhar Munro.

"We are not yet convinced an opt-out system is the right way forward but we will also look at (the) bill and consider that in due course."

But he did make an appeal for donors to come forward and added: "Currently in Scotland just under 100 people every year have their lives saved by organ transplant, over 100 have their quality of life dramatically improved, and about 400 are awaiting transplants and need those organs.

"I hope everybody who is here today, and who is watching on television, will go out and sign up and register to be an organ transplant donor."