A new opt-out system of consent for organ donation moved a step closer today (Monday) as Simon Harris, TD, Minister for Health, announced the opening of a public consultation on a Human Tissue Bill.
The consultation will inform the drafting of legislation to:
regulate the removal, retention, storage, use and disposal of human tissue from deceased persons;
provide general conditions for the removal, donation and use of organs and tissues from deceased and living persons for the purposes of transplantation; and
provide for an opt-out system of consent for organ donation and for an associated register.
The Human Tissue Bill will implement the key recommendation of the Madden Report on Post-Mortem Practices and Procedures - that no hospital post-mortem examination should be carried out, and no tissue retained, for any purpose whatsoever without authorisation.
Speaking today at the offices of Organ Donation and Transplantation Ireland, Minister Harris said “it is my aim that organ donation is made the norm in Ireland when people pass away, in circumstances in which donation is a possibility. I am particularly interested in hearing the views of people on ways to increase awareness of organ donation and increase the number of organs donated in this country. Transplantation is a vital life-saving treatment, but it depends on the altruism of others. It is important that we do all we can to increase the number of organs available for transplantation”.
The Minister highlighted the measures taken to date to foster a strong culture of organ donation, optimise conversion rates and ultimately increase further the number of transplantations that are carried out each year. In all, 280 transplants were carried out in 2016 - including a record 50 Living Kidney Donor transplants.
The Minister said “I would encourage everyone to make their views heard through this consultation process. It is important that we all consider our position on organ donation and make our views known to our loved ones. I would also encourage people to make their views known on proposals relating to post mortem practices and procedures, anatomical examination, education and training and public display of bodies after death.”
The Minister concluded by saying “it is my hope that this important piece of legislation will become law in 2018.”
The consultation questionnaire is available online at http://health.gov.ie/consultations and the closing date for submissions is 09 October 2017.
Notes to Editors
Main Provisions of General Scheme of a Human Tissue Bill
The General Scheme will provide for:
Post-mortem practice and procedures
Anatomical Examination/ Education and Training
Public Display of Bodies after Death
Organ Donation and Transplantation
Donation of Regenerative Tissue
Importation of Human Organs and Tissue
The proposals will provide a framework of informed consent for the following designated activities:
Hospital Post Mortem
Anatomy/Education & Training
Public Display
Organ Donation and Transplantation
Public Consultation:
The public consultation will take place over a six week period ending 09 October 2017.
Organ Transplant and Donor Information: 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 Jul 2017
Donors (Deceased) 81 90 58 93 78 86 63 81 77 57
Living Donors 10 18 23 27 32 38 40 33 50 28
Transplants
Kidney 146 172 121 192 163 185 152 153 172 103
Liver 58 64 38 61 50 55 44 61 58 33
Heart 4 11 3 6 10 11 18 16 15 5
Lung 4 5 4 8 14 32 31 36 35 18
Heart Lung En Bloc 1
Pancreas 12 9 8 8 1 11 6 0 0 1
Total Transplants 224 261 174 275 238 294 251 266 280 161