Doctors Reaffirm Support For An 'Opt Out' System Of Organ Donation, Scotland

Source: Medical News Today

[Tuesday 28th June 2011] reaffirmed their support forthe introduction of a system of presumed consent for organ donation following a debate at the British Medical Association's (BMA) Annual Representatives Meeting in Cardiff.

Under presumed consent [1], also known as an opt-out system, all people are assumed to be willing to donate their organs unless they have opted out. The BMA reaffirmed its support by defeating a motion [2] which called on the Association to reconsider its policy.

Recent figures published by the Scottish Government report that the number of Scots on the organ donor register is at an all time high, with 1.8million signed up to save a life. However last year there were only 67 organ donors in Scotland, while more than 600 people are still waiting for an organ. Sadly many more die before they even reach the waiting list.

Dr Sue Robertson, a renal physician and member of the BMA's Scottish Council, said:

"Every year people die whilst waiting for a donor organ and evidence from other countries has shown that a system of presumed consent can address the shortage of donor organs and can save lives.

"It is important that an individual's views on organ donation are taken into account following their death. Repeated surveys indicate that up to 90% of people are in favour of donating organs after their death, yet organ donation rates remain disappointingly low.

"Following the implementation of the recommendations of the organ donation taskforce in 2008, the NHS introduced a more robust system to support organ donation, but now is time for the Government to take the next step. A system of presumed consent will create a system whereby the wishes of the individual can be taken into account and will increase the number of organs available for transplant.

"The BMA believes that a 'soft' opt-out system would better reflect the views of the majority and unless an individual had registered an objection to donating their organs, or if the family were aware of any objection, the default position would be to donate.

"In the meantime, however, it is vital that people talk to their loved ones about their wishes and discuss openly their views on organ donation so that, should such a decision be necessary, individual's views can be respected."

*A 'soft' system of presumed consent

The BMA supports the introduction of a 'soft' system of presumed consent in which relatives' views are also taken into account. Instead of being asked to consent to donation, they would be informed that their relative had not opted out of donation and unless they object - either because they are aware of an unregistered objection by the individual or because it would cause major distress to close relatives - the donation would proceed. Donation would therefore become the default position.

The motion debated (and defeated) read as follows:

That this meeting calls on the BMA to reconsider its policy on presumed consent for organ donation in view of the experience in Spain, where the evidence shows that presumed consent has had no effect on organ donation rates.

Source:
BMA Scotland