18/12/2014 - Permalink

Health and Well-Being Board push forward opt-out system for organ donation in England

Related topics: Community / Health

Shropshire’s Health and Well-Being Board were today (Thursday 18 December 2014) given the green light to lobby the Government to consult with residents in England to determine their views on an opt-out system for organ donation.

The recommendations, which were approved by full Council, follows extensive consultation across the county as part of research undertaken by the council’s public health team.

Shropshire’s full Council agreed the following recommendations by the Health and Well-Being Board:-

  • To accept the results of the organ donation survey as indicative of the views of the population of Shropshire
  • To send the organ donation report to the county’s Members of Parliament, the Secretary of State for Health, Jeremy Hunt, and to the Health and Well-being Board Regional Network. It is hoped that this process will spark national debate around the topic of organ donation
  • Following the evidence received, that Council lobbies central government to consult all English residents to determine their views on adopting an opt-out system for organ donation
  • That Council continues to monitor the changes to the scheme in Wales (due to commence from 1 December 2015).

The research came as a result of a debate by Shropshire Councillors at a full Council meeting in late 2013 around the current ‘opt-in’ policy in England – whereby an individual signs up to register and specify which organs they would like to donate after they die.

Following the debate, Shropshire’s Health and Well-being Board was asked to conduct a piece of research to gather the views of Shropshire residents on the topic of organ donation.

The objective of the survey was to ascertain whether residents wish to remain with the current ‘opt-in’ policy, or would prefer the ‘opt-out’ policy – meaning that everyone is automatically considered to be a potential donor unless they ‘opt out’ of doing so.

1,179 responses were received, with a large majority – 76% – of respondents in favour of an opt-out scheme.

Karen Calder, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for health, and member of Shropshire’s Health and Well-Being Board, said:

“I am delighted that Council has approved our recommendations.  We welcome any debate that raises the value and importance of transplantation and increases the general public’s knowledge of the importance of organ and tissue donation.

“I think it was so important for people in Shropshire to have taken part in this survey, and it’s very promising to see the number of responses and positive feedback we have received.”

To view the organ donation report click here.