Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether he has plans to introduce an opt-out system for organ donation; and if he will make a statement.

Since the launch of the United Kingdom-wide Taking Organ Transplantation to 2020 Strategy in July 2013, organ donation rates have increased by 7% and transplant rates by 6% mainly through a strengthening of the donation infrastructure (e.g. increased specialist nurses, improved retrieval arrangements). In 2016-17, the UK had the highest ever deceased donor and transplant rates with 1,413 deceased donors and 3,710 transplants and there are now 24 million people on the Organ Donor Register.

However, three people still die every day in need of an organ transplant. We have, therefore, announced that we will launch a 12 week consultation, before the end of this year, on increasing rates of organ donation, including a new “opt out” system of consent for England. The consultation will seek views on:

- How to increase rates of organ donation, particularly from BAME communities;

- How the issue of consent should be managed within the NHS;

- How technology could help people to discuss their preferences with family; and

- How opt out could work in practice, the safeguards needed and how families could be supported.

The Government will carefully consult, listen and take account of the views from people from a diverse range of ethnic, religious and cultural communities when considering any changes to the law.

We are still committed to campaigns to raise awareness, and encourage families and friends to discuss their wishes on organ donation.