Majority back opt-out organ donation system

OPPOSITION parties have called on the Scottish Government to bring forward legislation for an organ donation opt-out system after a survey by the British Medical Association (BMA) showed the move has public support.

Two-thirds (66 per cent) of people back such a scheme, the survey of 2,011 people found but, while two out of three want to donate their organs at death, only one-third is signed up to the donation register.

Scotland, England and Northern Ireland currently have an opt-in system, which means a person must register their consent to donate organs when they die.

An opt-out system – already introduced in Wales – means there is a presumption of consent for organ donation unless a person has registered an objection in advance. If an objection is not registered, family members still have the opportunity to confirm whether the person had any unregistered objection before any procedures go ahead.

Dr Sue Robertson, BMA council member and a renal doctor, said: “A large number of people who wish to donate their organs are not signing up to the register. Vital opportunities to save people’s lives are being missed.”

Labour MSP Mark Griffin, whose father died after a heart operation following a 10-year wait for a transplant, said he is prepared to take forward his own proposal through a Member’s Bill.

He said: “The news that two-thirds of people support an opt-out system is to be welcomed. Moving to a different system will save lives.”