At the start of Organ Donation Week, UUP Health Spokesman Roy Beggs MLA has highlighted the importance of increasing the number of organ donations. He has also again called for an urgent return of a local devolved government so that Northern Ireland can follow the successful soft opt-out organ donation model that has now been approved in Wales, England and recently Scotland.
Roy Beggs said:
“In the absence of the soft opt out scheme that has been legislated for in the rest of the UK, I would urge everyone to join the local organ donation register by phoning 0300 123 23 23, joining on-line or by completing a form. It is important to join the scheme and speak to family members so that they know your intentions. It is a selfless act and no one knows if their own family member will need a donation from someone else in the future.
“In 2015 Wales was the first UK region to adopt the soft opt out scheme and as a result organ donation levels are greatly exceeding those in other regions with a rate of 80.5% compared to England with 66.2%, Scotland 63.6% and 66.7% in Northern Ireland.
“The new legislation has been approved in both England and Scotland earlier this year and is to be in operation in 2020. Northern Ireland has yet to even start the legislative process. Given the length of waiting lists, too many people are tragically passing away whilst waiting for an organ transplant.
“My UUP colleague and former MLA Jo-Anne Dobson tried to bring a Private Members’ Bill to transform the local organ donation laws in 2015, but it was scuppered by the DUP and Sinn Fein for primarily political reasons.
“Today, the failure to re-establish a devolved government is continuing to put lives at risk. Northern Ireland continues to have the most outdated and inadequate organ donation system of any part of the UK.
“I would urge the Secretary of State to intervene so that the health and well-being of the people of Northern Ireland is not further impeded by the current political impasse.
With regards to Organ Donation Roy Beggs MLA said “Yes, I donate, do you?”
https://www.organdonationni.info/register/online
