Stevenson Backs Introduction of Opt-Out System for Organ Donation

Legislation to introduce an opt-out system of organ and tissue donation for deceased donors will come into force in Autumn 2020.

The announcement has been welcomed by Banffshire and Buchan Coast MSP Stewart Stevenson who has long supported the introduction of these changes.

Under the new law, if an adult does not opt-in or opt-out of donation they may be deemed to have authorised donation for transplantation.

This is subject to the safeguards in the Act which seek to ensure that donation will not go ahead where it would be against the person’s wishes.

Last month, the Human Tissue (Authorisation) (Scotland) Bill was passed having completed all parliamentary stages and has now been given Royal Assent.

The new law will add to the package of measures already in place which have led to significant increases in donation and transplantation over the last decade.

It will follow a public awareness campaign of at least 12 months which will provide more information about what the changes mean and what choices people will have.

Commenting, Stewart Stevenson MSP, said:

“There are currently more than 500 people across Scotland waiting for an organ transplant.

“This Bill has the potential to be transformative for many people because organ and tissue donation can be a life changing gift.

“I would urge people to continue to make a decision about donation, to discuss it with their family and other relatives and record this on the NHS Organ Donor Register.”