Ulster Unionist Party Health Spokesperson, Jo-Anne Dobson MLA, has welcomed the call from the British Heart Foundation for the soft opt-out organ donation system currently operating in Wales to be rolled out across the rest of the UK to help increase the number of potential donors.

Mrs Dobson recently announced that her Private Members Bill, 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 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.

“I am convinced that by moving to such a system donation rates in Northern Ireland would dramatically improve and ultimately lives would be saved every year. 

“Unfortunately I believe 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 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 majority of respondents, over 80%, supported what my Bill will do.

“The British Heart Foundation in particular have been strong supporters of a change to the legislation and I fully agree with their call for the new approach to be rolled out across the entire United Kingdom.”