Organ donation support urged by Perthshire MP

Nov 10 2009 by Johnathon Menzies, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

PERTHSHIRE politician Gordon Banks has called for the spotlight to be shone on the potentially life-saving subject of organ donation.

The MP for Ochil and South Perthshire said: “A recent survey by the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) found that 95 per cent of people say they would accept a transplant if they needed it but only 25 per cent of those asked have signed up to donate themselves.

“Many more people say they would like to donate but have yet to make the commitment.

“I continue to support an opt-out system but I’m delighted that the RCP see the importance of the issue – it’s vital medical professionals, politicians and the public are kept fully involved in progress.”

A government-backed organ donation task force hopes to increase the number of specimens obtained by 50 per cent before the start of 2013.

Nearly a million people signed up in the campaign’s first year.