WIREDGOV

The report was commissioned by the Health Secretary earlier this year (11 March) following concerns about the number of organs from deceased UK donors being transplanted into non-UK resident EU nationals each year.  The report’s recommendations, which have been broadly accepted by the  Department of Health, will help to ensure public confidence in the fairness and transparency of the organ allocation system. 

Immediate steps will now be taken to implement the report’s recommendations including:

- Seeking agreement from devolved health administrations to ban all private clinical practice in the UK involving solid organs donated after death within the NHS, from 1 October 2009;
- Establishing an implementation group to work with NHS Blood and Transplant and commissioners of transplantation to monitor referrals from overseas;
- Supporting the development of a new liver allocation scheme to build greater transparency into the allocation process;
- Developing Department of Health guidance for transplant centres to provide clarification on the eligibility criteria for people from abroad;
- Raising with colleagues across the EU the need to build capacity or expertise in developing transplant programmes in Member States or the building of reciprocal agreements between neighbouring countries.

Health Minister Ann Keen said:

“I am grateful to Elisabeth Buggins for her work on this important issue. We accept her recommendations and will now take these forward to ensure a UK system that is fair and transparent and one which patients and potential donors can have trust and confidence in.

“The report highlights the complexity of European law in this area and we will take immediate action to provide guidance for the transplant community and reassure the public of the integrity of our transplant programme.

"Organ donation is one of medicine’s great success stories, transforming thousands of people’s lives each year. We want as many people as possible who need new organs to have that life saving or life enhancing organ transplant. In order for this to happen we want to see donor rates rise from the current 800 to 1,400 donors per year by March 2013 and to do this we need more donors to sign up to the organ donor register."

 
Elisabeth Buggins said:

“This report seeks to make more organs available for UK residents.  While I found no evidence of wrongdoing in the way organs are allocated to patients there is a perception that private payments may unfairly influence access to transplant, so they must be banned.

“Confidence in the transplant system should increase once money is removed from the equation, decisions are transparent and accountability clear; confidence we know is necessary if the number of organ donors is to rise to match the best in Europe. I would encourage everyone to join the organ donor register; a promise that is quick to make and of such lasting benefit to others.”

Ends

Notes to Editors:
 

1.  For a copy of the report please visit www.dh.gov.uk

2.  Last year, 3504 organ transplants were carried out in the UK, thanks to the generosity of 1844 deceased and living donors – the highest number on record but more organs are desperately needed

3.  While over 3,000 organ transplants take place every year there remains a vital need for donor organs. There are currently over 8,000 people waiting for a transplant operation and 1000 people a year or 3 a day, die while waiting. Potential donors are encouraged to join the Organ Donor Register by calling the NHS Organ Donor Line: 0300 123 23 23 and discussing their wishes with those close to them.

4.  The Organ Donation Taskforce suggests that a 50% increase in organ donation is possible within five years, potentially enabling at least 1,200 extra transplants every year.

5.  For all media enquiries please contact the DH media centre on: 020 7210 5221