Call for views issued on proposed new organ donation law

Public comments have been invited on proposed legislation which will create an opt-out system for organ donation, that would assume people were in favour of donation unless they have stated otherwise.

The Human Tissue (Authorisation) (Scotland) Bill is currently being examined by Holyrood's Health & Sport Committee, which has asked people across Scotland for their views.

As well as the usual call for written submissions, an online survey has been launched.

The bill seeks to increase the numbers of organs becoming available by increasing the range of circumstances in which deceased organ donation is authorised. Deemed authorisation would apply to most adults who have not otherwise explicitly opted in or out of donation via the Organ Donation Register, or who have not otherwise recorded an explicit decision about donation.

Lewis Macdonald MSP, convener of the Health & Sport Committee commented: "There is no doubt that increasing the number of organ donations and having fewer people dying whilst waiting for a transplant is something we all want to see happen. However, this is a complex and difficult issue and there has been much debate and discussion about the most appropriate system for organ donation in Scotland and indeed the rest of the world.

"As this proposed legislation will significantly change the system for organ donation we want to hear from as many people as possible from across Scotland to help inform the committee’s scrutiny of this important issue."

Click here to access the survey and here for the formal call for evidence. Responses to both close on 4 September 2018.