Ulster Unionist Party Health Spokesperson, Jo-Anne Dobson MLA, has welcomed the launch of a new UK Organ Donor Register. The Upper Bann MLA however has cautioned that whilst this informal approach gladly lays the groundwork for a new attitude to organ donation, it is no substitute for a statutory soft opt-out system.

The Assembly Member has also announced that her Private Members Bill at Stormont, which would officially transform organ donation here to a formal soft opt-out system, will be ready for introduction to the Assembly in September.  

Jo-Anne Dobson said:

“I welcome all moves that will increase the public awareness of the power of organ donation, however I remain firmly convinced that the best way to save lives is by changing the law and introducing a new all-encompassing soft opt-out system as is being progressed in Wales and Scotland.

“It is a positive development that the UK is now going to introduce a new Organ Donor Register, and I especially welcome the possibility for people, for the first time, to record their desire not to be a donor or to appoint representatives to make the decision on their behalf after death. These two choices would be at the very front in a statutory soft opt-out system, rather than being kept very informal as is proposed within the new donor registration system.

“Of course Wales has already taken the brave decision to adopt an extensive statutory soft opt-system, where all appropriate adults will shortly be considered willing donors unless they take the very simple step to opt out. Scotland is also examining going down this route and consequently there too this new donor register may be obsolete. Unfortunately however there remains a reluctance at the top of the Health Department here in Northern Ireland to adopt a soft opt-out system and that is why over two years ago I decided to commence the legislative process myself.

“I am delighted therefore that after many months of meticulous drafting and checking, my draft Organ Donation Bill will be ready for introduction to the Assembly in September. Over 1,350 local people and organisations took the time to respond to the public consultation on the proposals and I was heartened that the overwhelming number of all respondents, over 80%, supported what my Bill will do.

“The new Organ Donation Register is a welcome step, but ultimately it is no substitute for transforming our local system in a way that would undoubtedly save lives now, and for many more generations to come.”