This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/health/7186007.stm

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
PM backs automatic organ donation PM backs automatic organ donation
(about 1 hour later)
Gordon Brown says he wants a national debate on whether to change the system of organ donation.Gordon Brown says he wants a national debate on whether to change the system of organ donation.
He believes thousands of lives would be saved if everyone was automatically placed on the donor register.He believes thousands of lives would be saved if everyone was automatically placed on the donor register.
It would mean that, unless people opted out of the register or family members objected, hospitals would be allowed to use their organs for transplants.It would mean that, unless people opted out of the register or family members objected, hospitals would be allowed to use their organs for transplants.
But some critics say the state should not automatically decide what happens to people's bodies after they die.But some critics say the state should not automatically decide what happens to people's bodies after they die.
Currently there are more than 8,000 people waiting for organ transplants in the UK - a figure which rises by about 8% a year.Currently there are more than 8,000 people waiting for organ transplants in the UK - a figure which rises by about 8% a year.
Writing in the Sunday Telegraph newspaper, the prime minister said a system of "presumed consent" could make a huge difference.Writing in the Sunday Telegraph newspaper, the prime minister said a system of "presumed consent" could make a huge difference.
I was reborn 16 years ago after my liver transplant operation and thanks to that donor I'm alive Tito Mora Praise for Spanish system How Spain's system worksI was reborn 16 years ago after my liver transplant operation and thanks to that donor I'm alive Tito Mora Praise for Spanish system How Spain's system works
"A system of this kind seems to have the potential to close the aching gap between the potential benefits of transplant surgery in the UK and the limits imposed by our current system of consent," he wrote."A system of this kind seems to have the potential to close the aching gap between the potential benefits of transplant surgery in the UK and the limits imposed by our current system of consent," he wrote.
The system already operates in several other European countries and has boosted the number of organs available for transplant.The system already operates in several other European countries and has boosted the number of organs available for transplant.
Mr Brown, who carries an organ donor card, said he hoped the measure could be introduced this year.Mr Brown, who carries an organ donor card, said he hoped the measure could be introduced this year.
Lib Dem MP Dr Evan Harris, chair of All-Party Kidney Group and member of the BMA Medical Ethics Committee, welcomed Mr Brown's comments.Lib Dem MP Dr Evan Harris, chair of All-Party Kidney Group and member of the BMA Medical Ethics Committee, welcomed Mr Brown's comments.
"Under an opt-out scheme donor's real wishes will be more often respected, more lives would be saved and grieving relatives will be spared the experience of making the wrong decision at the worst time," he said."Under an opt-out scheme donor's real wishes will be more often respected, more lives would be saved and grieving relatives will be spared the experience of making the wrong decision at the worst time," he said.
ORGAN TRANSPLANT PROPOSALS Twice as many transplant co-ordinators to be hired24-hour transplant teams to be set upSystem of presumed consent to be consideredOther proposals to be made public later this week Source: Department of HealthORGAN TRANSPLANT PROPOSALS Twice as many transplant co-ordinators to be hired24-hour transplant teams to be set upSystem of presumed consent to be consideredOther proposals to be made public later this week Source: Department of Health
Mr Harris said too many people were "needlessly dying while waiting for organs".Mr Harris said too many people were "needlessly dying while waiting for organs".
However, several patient groups, including Patient Concern, are against a system of presumed consent, arguing that it is not up to the state to decide what becomes of people's bodies when they die.However, several patient groups, including Patient Concern, are against a system of presumed consent, arguing that it is not up to the state to decide what becomes of people's bodies when they die.
Joyce Robins from Patient Concern told BBC Radio 5 Live presumed consent turned volunteers into conscripts and that proposals did not tackle the problem of donor shortages.Joyce Robins from Patient Concern told BBC Radio 5 Live presumed consent turned volunteers into conscripts and that proposals did not tackle the problem of donor shortages.
"Presumed consent is no consent at all. We've worked for years to get a system of proper, informed consent in the health service in this country and Gordon Brown is willing to throw it all out of the window," she said."Presumed consent is no consent at all. We've worked for years to get a system of proper, informed consent in the health service in this country and Gordon Brown is willing to throw it all out of the window," she said.
These recommendations are an essential first step to improve the systems supporting organ donation Alan Johnson, health minister Send us your commentsTransplant stories'We're not old cars'These recommendations are an essential first step to improve the systems supporting organ donation Alan Johnson, health minister Send us your commentsTransplant stories'We're not old cars'
A government taskforce set up to consider the issue of presumed consent is due to report back in the summer. The Organ Donation Taskforce, set up by the UK government in 2006, is due to publishits report on Tuesday.
So far, the group has made 14 recommendations for tackling the shortage in donors. It will make 14 recommendations, which it is hoped will boost the level of organ donations. However there will not be a report on the issue of "presumed consent" until the summer.
They include doubling the number of transplant co-ordinators in the NHS to 200 and employing and training them centrally rather than by individual trusts. The new proposals include doubling the number of transplant co-ordinators in the NHS to 200 and employing and training them centrally rather than by individual trusts.
Co-ordinators identify possible donors, talk to bereaved families and inform the national transplant list.Co-ordinators identify possible donors, talk to bereaved families and inform the national transplant list.
Dedicated organ retrieval teams available 24 hours a day would also be established to work closely with the critical care teams in hospital.Dedicated organ retrieval teams available 24 hours a day would also be established to work closely with the critical care teams in hospital.
The proposed system is similar to that in Spain where they have three times more available organs than in the UK.
ConsentConsent
It is expected the measures could result in a 10% increase in the consent rate for donation which currently stands at 60%.
The taskforce says an extra 1,200 transplants could be done each year, which it says could save the NHS more than £500m over 10 years.The taskforce says an extra 1,200 transplants could be done each year, which it says could save the NHS more than £500m over 10 years.
This is because dialysis for kidney failure patients costs £25,300 a year, whereas a transplant costs £45,900 initially followed by annual treatment costing £7,100.This is because dialysis for kidney failure patients costs £25,300 a year, whereas a transplant costs £45,900 initially followed by annual treatment costing £7,100.
Health Secretary Alan Johnson said: "Last year around 2,400 people in the UK benefited from an organ transplant, but more than 1,000 people die every year waiting for a transplant.Health Secretary Alan Johnson said: "Last year around 2,400 people in the UK benefited from an organ transplant, but more than 1,000 people die every year waiting for a transplant.
"These recommendations are an essential first step to improve the systems supporting organ donation.""These recommendations are an essential first step to improve the systems supporting organ donation."
Chris Rudge, director of UK Transplant, said there were weaknesses in the current system that needed to be addressed, saying lack of family consent meant four out of 10 organs considered suitable for transplant were not being used.Chris Rudge, director of UK Transplant, said there were weaknesses in the current system that needed to be addressed, saying lack of family consent meant four out of 10 organs considered suitable for transplant were not being used.