Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 June 2013
222. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will support a public awareness campaign for twenty patients in the Mater Hospital, Dublin, who need heart transplants and that would encourage families whose loved ones have passed away in fatal accidents to donor to this crisis situation. [30889/13]
View answerI have been informed by the HSE that in 2012 there were 10 heart transplants performed with 13 patients awaiting transplantation. To date in 2013 there have been 4 heart transplants with 14 patients awaiting transplantation. The National Organ Donation and Transplantation Office is progressing the deployment of specialist donor co-ordinators across the emerging hospital networks in line with best international practice. In parallel, it is proposed to employ a public awareness campaign via social networking to enhance the public's awareness of the benefits of organ donation.
The Programme for Government envisages the introduction of an opt-out system of organ donation, with a view to improving the availability of organs for patients in need of transplantation. This will require detailed consideration and further consultation and I am developing proposals for Government on this matter. The public consultation process in relation to how such an opt-out system should operate, will generate greater public awareness of the need for organ donation.
In addition to consent systems, there is evidence from other countries that good co-ordination at hospital level and counselling arrangements for relatives are significant factors in achieving high organ donation rates. In conjunction with the HSE's National Organ Donation and Transplantation Office my Department is also examining what practices and organisational changes could further improve donation rates.
The Deputy may also wish to note that following discussions between my Department and the Road Safety Authority, the new Driving Licence Application Form contains a question asking applicants if they would like a code to be placed on their driving licence indicating their wish to become an organ donor. Since the introduction of a new type of driving licence on 19 January, the code that will appear on new driving licences issued to people who indicate that they wish to become an organ donor, is 115. My Department has written to the National Organ Donation and Transplantation Office and the Regional Directors of Operations in the HSE asking them to alert relevant hospital staff to this initiative and to the code which will appear on new driving licences of people who wish to donate. My Department is also in discussion with the Department of Social Protection with a view to including a similar code on the Public Services Card.
