Ulster Unionist MLA Jo-Anne Dobson has said that when it comes to preparing the Northern Ireland Health Service to meet future challenges, Stormont politicians should always be open and willing to learn lessons from others.
Mrs Dobson made her comments after she held a meeting in Brussels with the influential European Health Commissioner Vytenis Andriukaitis and his staff to discuss Northern Ireland health concerns.
The Upper Bann MLA, who is progressing an Organ Donation Private Member’s Bill at Stormont, said:
“Mr Andriukaitis and his staff have responsibility for monitoring different health systems across the EU and I welcomed the opportunity to discuss the merits of the different organ donation systems and how lives are being saved through active co-operation.
“Eurotransplant is responsible for the allocation of life-saving donor organs across eight European countries with a combined population of 132 million people.
"Through this system international co-operation between hospitals and governments is saving lives every single day. Their ultimate aim is to ensure the optimal use of available donor organs, irrespective of the system operated by each country."
Crucially, the UUP MLA said, Eurotransplant also conducts and facilitates joint scientific research aimed at pooling resources to constantly improve transplant outcomes for patients.
“The Commission is also monitoring closely the live donor systems across Europe as the technology improves and public perceptions and acceptability improve. I explained that in Belfast we have one of the most successful live donor programmes in Europe, but that we need to do more because on average 15 people die each year here waiting on a life-saving transplant. "
Mrs Dobson said a main message she took from her meeting with the EU Commissioner was that no matter how good the system is, whether it cancer treatment or organ donation, whether in Belfast or Brussels, it always comes down to the amazing work of hospital staff.
"They are the key to saving lives and I have nothing but admiration and praise for their sterling work," she said.
The Ulster Unionist MLA has written to Health Minister Jeremy Hunt in London urging him to do all in his power to co-operate with other EU countries in maximising UK life-saving transplants.
"We owe it to each and every one of the thousands of people enduring a life-sentence on dialysis across the UK to look beyond our borders for new and innovative solutions.”