Ulster Unionist Health Spokesperson, Jo-Anne Dobson MLA, has welcomed evidence on her Organ Donation Bill provided to the Stormont Health Committee by senior representatives from the Welsh Government, NHS Blood & Transplant and Eurotransplant.

The Upper Bann MLA said:

"The primary motivation behind my Bill is to save lives and Stormont has now heard from the Director of Organ Donation & Transplantation at NHSBT, Sally Johnson, that passage of my Bill could save up to 36 additional lives each year.

“The Committee were provided with evidence from the NHSBT statistics department which estimates an additional 14 donors, resulting in 36 extra transplants, could be achieved if the Bill is passed and a new soft opt-out system comes into operation in Northern Ireland.

“Ms Johnson also confirmed that NHSBT, who coordinate all organ transplants across the United Kingdom, could absorb the financial costs associated with these additional transplants.  We also heard from the Assembly Research Office, which has looked extensively at the potential impact of the Bill, that its passage could deliver multi-million pound financial benefits to our health service. 

“Of course the multiple life-saving and enhancing benefits to patients are far more important than any financial impact and as the mother of a successful transplant recipient I know the overwhelming joy felt by patients and their families as they receive new life through a transplant.

“The Health Committee also heard from the experience of the Welsh Government who passed soft opt-out legislation two years ago and which came into effect at the beginning of this month.  I was delighted to hear from Patricia Vernon, Head of Healthcare Quality Legislation at the Welsh Department of Health, of their willingness to share their experiences around changing the law and the positive impact the new law is having on organ donation in Wales. 

“The third contributor to the Committee gave an overview of how lives have been saved through changing the law in other countries across Europe.  Dr Undine Samuel of the Eurotransplant International Foundation outlined how they ensure optimal use of available donated organs and how we could learn from their considerable experience across eight European countries.

“The Committee will continue to receive evidence on the Bill until the beginning of February and I look forward to working alongside all MLA’s and officials from the Department of Health to ensure that we get the best Bill for Northern Ireland.”