Promoting Organ Donation and Transplantation in Northern Ireland

This document has been published by the Department of Health, referred to below as “the Department” or “DoH”, in order to consult with the transplant community, the wider public, clinicians, patient representatives and other stakeholders about the development of a draft policy to implement the Department’s statutory duty to promote and report on organ donation and transplantation in Northern Ireland.

In fulfilling this duty, the Department’s aim goes beyond a commitment to run public information campaigns through the media, rather it involves embracing a holistic approach to promotion, information, education and medical workforce training drawing from best practice elsewhere. It is therefore proposed to focus on two primary objectives: (1) to encourage positive actions and behaviours in relation to organ donation, such as discussing our organ donation wishes with family and close friends, or joining the Organ Donor Register (ODR); and (2) to develop and provide appropriate awareness training for healthcare professionals involved along the consent journey.

The key issues for consultation relate to six key commitments aimed at delivering those objectives, which we believe will lead to more organs being made available for transplantation by increasing the rate of family consent for donation to proceed, from the current average of around 60% of potential cases to the UK-wide strategy target of 80% by 2020.

We therefore invite the public and stakeholders to use this consultation exercise to send us their views on the objectives and commitments described below. Responses will be fully considered by the Department to inform advice to the Health Minister before a final decision is taken on the way forward.

The consultation will run from 11 December 2017 until 5 March 2018. 

Further Information and Related Documents

Large print, Braille and alternative language versions of this document are available on request to the above email address or postal address.

If you have any questions please contact ryan.wilson@health-ni.gov.uk.

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