Best efforts on organ donation may not be enough

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 26th Apr 2007

Commenting on the news that the number of people waiting for an organ transplant has increased despite increases in the number of organs being transplanted, Dr Evan Harris MP, Chair of the All Party Kidney Group, said:

"While we all welcome overall increases in transplants being done, the desperate need for such organs is higher than ever and it is very disappointing that the main source of organ donation - from patients who have died and are on heart-lung machines - has dropped by 10% since 2001/02 despite recent new legislation.

"Even more alarming is that only 60% of relatives give consent to life-saving organ donation despite more than 80% of their loved ones wanting to donate."

"The UK's transplantation rates are woefully low compared to other countries who have different systems and laws. It seems that the best efforts of all involved in the transplant services are still not sufficient - under our current system - to provide the organs that patients want and that donors are willing to provide. Unless there are bigger increases soon, the Government will have to review our laws again."