Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 09 February 2016
09 Feb 2016 · S4 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Transplantation (Authorisation of Removal of Organs etc) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
In terms of proxies? There is nothing about proxies in the system at present.
Although the majority of the committee did not support the propositions in the bill, that does not mean that we should not consider developing a soft opt-out system, along with other measures to increase organ donation.
I point out that in 2005-06, 650 people were waiting for a transplant, but in 2014-15 the number was down to 143. In the intervening years, because of the progress that we have made on organ donation, more than 507 people have had organ donations that were not available in 2006-07.
In the same item of business
The Presiding Officer (Tricia Marwick)
NPA
The next item of business is a debate on motion S4M-15128, in the name of Anne McTaggart, on the Transplantation (Authorisation of Removal of Organs etc) (Sc...
Anne McTaggart (Glasgow) (Lab)
Lab
It is my great privilege to open this debate, to welcome key stakeholders and their families to the public gallery and to speak to my motion that the Parliam...
Mike MacKenzie (Highlands and Islands) (SNP)
SNP
Does Anne McTaggart agree that some of the difficulties with the bill, such as those that relate to proxies, are complex issues for which no apparent solutio...
Anne McTaggart
Lab
No—I do not agree that that is the case. We have had bills to which up to 200 amendments have been lodged, so I do not agree that the issue of proxies need b...
Kevin Stewart (Aberdeen Central) (SNP)
SNP
I congratulate Ms McTaggart on bringing forward the proposal. She talked about the possibility of extra donors. Does she agree with the figures that the Brit...
Anne McTaggart
Lab
Yes, I certainly agree with the British Heart Foundation Scotland. Let us be clear. There is a price to be paid for delaying the decision. I have never said...
The Minister for Public Health (Maureen Watt)
SNP
I pay tribute to Anne McTaggart. She and her staff have worked tirelessly to bring us to where we are today—debating organ donation in this chamber and raisi...
John Mason (Glasgow Shettleston) (SNP)
SNP
Will the minister take an intervention?
Patricia Ferguson (Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn) (Lab)
Lab
Will the minister take an intervention?
Maureen Watt
SNP
The Government shares the concerns that were expressed in the stage 1 report. In particular, we agree that the appointment of proxies could cause unnecessary...
Drew Smith (Glasgow) (Lab)
Lab
Will the minister give way?
Stewart Maxwell (West Scotland) (SNP)
SNP
Will the minister give way?
Maureen Watt
SNP
There is a particular concern in the case of adults with incapacity. The bill’s provisions could lock such adults into organ donation, because they could not...
Patricia Ferguson
Lab
Will the minister take an intervention?
Maureen Watt
SNP
NHS Blood and Transplant, which currently employs the specialist nurses, also raised concerns about the AIP role. Interruption.
The Presiding Officer
NPA
Order.
Maureen Watt
SNP
I will take an intervention from John Mason.
John Mason
SNP
The minister mentioned specific provisions and aspects of the bill. Can she confirm that her opposition to the bill is based on those details and not on the ...
Maureen Watt
SNP
I absolutely can. I will come to that. Although some of the issues could be addressed through amendments at stage 2, others could not be.
Drew Smith
Lab
Will the minister give way?
Maureen Watt
SNP
If the member would just listen, he might understand why we are objecting to the bill. Interruption.
The Presiding Officer
NPA
Order.
Maureen Watt
SNP
In particular, the authorised investigating persons provisions cannot be separated from the bill, because the proposed model requires AIPs to police the new ...
Anne McTaggart
Lab
What is currently in place for that to happen?
Maureen Watt
SNP
In terms of proxies? There is nothing about proxies in the system at present. Although the majority of the committee did not support the propositions in the...
Margaret McCulloch (Central Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
Will the minister take an intervention?
Maureen Watt
SNP
I can confirm today that, in line with the committee’s recommendation, we are starting preparation for a detailed consultation on further methods to increase...
Anne McTaggart
Lab
When?
Maureen Watt
SNP
If we are re-elected, we will take the matter forward as an early priority in the next session of Parliament and bring forward legislation as appropriate. W...
Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab)
Lab
Will the minister take an intervention?