We must get Opt Out right, say MSPs as fears raised over project
FEARS that families could be more likely to object to organ donation under an Opt Out system have been raised.
The concerns came as the Bill to introduce the Opt Out system was heard at stage 1 in the Scottish Parliament.
The bill came about after a long and successful campaign by the Evening Times backed by the British Heart Foundation and other health charities, in a bid to increase the number of available donations.
It is likely to be law by next summer if approved by MSPs at Holyrood.
MSPs and campaigners said the law must be clear and concerns addressed if it is to be a success, if it is passed by Holyrood.
Keith Brown, SNP MSP, asked if was possible families could be more likely to withhold their approval if the donation is under deemed consent rather than express consent.
His concerns were echoed by Gordon McDonald of CARE for Scotland.
Dr McDonald said: “There is a danger of an adverse impact and people saying I would have been happy to donate but if the state is going to take them, then you can get lost.”
Dr McDonald suggested the data so far from Wales, where Opt Out has been introduced, does not show the increase in donations that was estimated.
He said: “We have to think of the potential negative consequences of moving from a gift to compulsion.”
The British Heart Foundation said that it believed the change in the law would make it more likely that people’s wishes were known.
In a written submission it stated: “As a result of the deemed authorisation legislation in Wales, “Specialist Nurses-Organ Donation (SN-ODs) report encountering more instances in which family members were aware of their deceased loved one’s wishes.”
There were also questions asked about the capacity of the NHS transplantation service to be able to cope with any increase that does happen from an Opt Out system.
Alex Cole Hamilton, Liberal Democrat MSP, asked if there was enough financial resources available to the NHS to cope.
David McGolgan, of the BHF, said ministers had already committed enough funding for a rise in donations.
He said: “The Scottish Government is already funding to the 2020 capacity which they are not yet meeting.
“Funding is already in place for the extra impact.”
He added, while it will come with a cost, there will be savings in other areas.
Mr McGolgan said data from Kidney Research showed there are savings on kidney dialysis when a patient gets a transplant.
The system in Scotland will apply to every one aged 16 and over whereas in Wales the age is 18 and in England, consent is also set at the age of 18.
‘‘ Funding is already in place for the extra impact