Organ transplant bill goes out for public's views

Proposed legislation which would change the consent process for the transplantation of organs has reached the stage where the public can have their say on it.

Holyrood's Health & Sport Committee has issued a call for evidence on the Transplantation (Authorisation of removal of organs) etc (Scotland) Bill, which it is currently scrutinising.

The legislation, if passed, would create an opt-out system which would effectively mean that organs and tissue would be available for transplant unless there is a decision to the contrary. 

The committee would welcome views on whether there is support for the bill's approach; whether it would achieve its aim of increasing the number or organs and tissue made available for transplantation in Scotland; and the provisions for appointing a proxy and on the role of the “authorised investigating persons”.

Convener Duncan McNeil MSP said: “I’m sure everyone would agree that people dying whilst waiting on a transplant is such a tragic waste of life. Organ donation has transformed people’s lives and the lives of their families.

“But of course for someone to receive good news another family has had to go through a devastating experience, so these conversations are never easy or straightforward.

“But it is the job of this committee to hear from the experts, gather evidence and to scrutinise how these proposals would change the current system.”

Click here to view the call for evidence. The deadline for responses is 12 October 2015.