Doctors challenge governments to adopt opt-out organ donation system
Top doctors will lobby harder for ministers in Scotland, England, and Northern Ireland to implement an opt-out system for organ donation similar to the one established in Wales last year.
The strategy was voted through at the British Medical Association’s (BMA) annual representative meeting today in Belfast.
Under the system consent would be given to donate organs after death unless someone had registered an objection previously. Family members would also be able to intervene.
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The Scottish Parliament rejected similar proposals February from former Labour MSP Anne McTaggart, but the Scottish Government said it would consult on the idea.
The BMA has supported the concept but the position was ratified by members today.
Dr John Chisholm, chair of the BMA’s medical ethics committee, said: “Organ transplantation is an area that has seen amazing medical achievements but has not yet reached its full life-saving and life-transforming potential, so I’m pleased to see this motion pass today.”
It is expected a bill will come before parliament this session.
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