Madam, – It seems those of us waiting for life-saving transplants are supposed to be grateful we got a mention in the programme for government (Home News, March 7th). Regretfully, the proposal contained therein – the creation of an opt-out system for organ donation – is not helpful.
As has been well flagged by the Irish Kidney Association and other bodies, there are flaws with an opt-out system. Statistics show that in countries where the system has been tried, no discernible difference was made to the rate of transplants.
An opt-out scheme would obviously increase the number of potential donors – but it is pointless having potential donors when the environment in which our health service operates is still hopelessly ill-equipped for the donating and harvesting of organs.
What we needed in this Programme for Government was a pledge to create a national transplant authority and a commitment to install a donor co-ordinator in every hospital. Standalone legislation on an opt-out system is of little help to us.
This is a clumsy move by our incoming government. At best, it is comes down to a lack of appreciation for what is required to bring about increased levels of organ donation. At worst, it is a cynical move, ensuring that a minister for health can shimmy out of any blame for poor transplant figures by hiding behind this rather useless opt-out scheme, and shifting blame onto overworked frontline staff.
I truly hope it is the former. – Yours, etc,