Committee
Health Committee, 20 Dec 2005
20 Dec 2005 · S2 · Health Committee
Item of business
Human Tissue (Scotland) Bill: Stage 2
I sympathise entirely with Nanette Milne's motivation in moving amendment 112, but the amendment is not necessary. As it stands, section 1(b) makes it clear that ministers have a continuous duty to "promote information and awareness about … donation".Nothing in the section suggests that the duty should be intermittent or that it should be exercised only in fits and starts. A statutory duty underpins the wide range of work that the Executive undertakes at the moment, and I believe that it is adequate for its purpose. Our world-class transplantation services in Scotland are the best advertisement for the benefits of transplantation. The Executive will, of course, undertake specific awareness raising as part of the run-up to the implementation of the bill. That will include the development of guidance and training for transplant co-ordinators and staff. We will support the network of transplant co-ordinators across Scotland, including supporting their work to promote awareness. We have produced an organ donation teaching resource pack, which we believe is the first of its kind anywhere in the world. It is an educational tool that will allow senior pupils to explore the ethical issues that are associated with transplantation. Through its use, we hope to create a generation of people in the years ahead who are aware of the issues around transplantation.Of course, ministers take opportunities, as Andy Kerr did yesterday, to promote the benefits of organ donation. Indeed, all the approaches that ministers are taking are in line with the duty that the bill puts on us. On the basis of those assurances, I hope that Nanette Milne will seek leave to withdraw amendment 112. I also hope that she will accept that the spirit of her amendment is reflected in the bill as it stands.
In the same item of business
The Convener:
SNP
Item 4 is stage 2 consideration of the Human Tissue (Scotland) Bill. We have set part 1 as the end-point for consideration today. I welcome the minister in c...
Section 1—Duties of the Scottish Ministers as respects transplantation, donation of body parts etc
The Convener:
SNP
We begin with section 1 and group 1, on promoting donation for transplantation and so on. Amendment 112, in the name of Nanette Milne, is the only amendment ...
Mrs Nanette Milne (North East Scotland) (Con):
Con
I will be brief. Amendment 112 seeks to ensure ministers' on-going commitment over time to promote awareness of organ donation and transplantation. The aim i...
The Convener:
SNP
As no member has indicated that they wish to comment on the amendment, I call the minister.
The Deputy Minister for Health and Community Care (Lewis Macdonald):
Lab
I sympathise entirely with Nanette Milne's motivation in moving amendment 112, but the amendment is not necessary. As it stands, section 1(b) makes it clear ...
The Convener:
SNP
I ask Nanette Milne to indicate whether she will press or seek leave to withdraw amendment 112.
Mrs Milne:
Con
I appreciate what the minister has said and accept that the intention of the present Executive is to ensure that on-going commitment. However, as that does n...
The Convener:
SNP
The question is, that amendment 112 be agreed to. Are we agreed?
Members:
No.
The Convener:
SNP
There will be a division.
ForMilne, Mrs Nanette (North East Scotland) (Con)Turner, Dr Jean (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (Ind)AgainstCunningham, Roseanna (Perth) (SNP)Eadie, Helen (Dunf...
The Convener:
SNP
The result of the division is: For 2, Against 7, Abstentions 0.
Amendment 112 disagreed to.
Section 1 agreed to.
Sections 2 to 5 agreed to.
After section 5
The Convener:
SNP
The second group of amendments concerns the question of presumed consent. Amendment 113 is grouped with amendments 114, 121, 132, 133, 143 to 146, 148 and 16...
Mike Rumbles (West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine) (LD):
LD
John Farquhar Munro has asked me to not move his amendments.
Amendments 113 and 114 not moved.
Section 6—Authorisation: adult
The Convener:
SNP
Group 3 is on the dating and witnessing of authorisations and withdrawals for transplantation. Amendment 115, in the name of Jean Turner, is grouped with ame...
Dr Jean Turner (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (Ind):
Ind
The intention of my amendments 115 to 118, 120, 129 to 131 and 134 to 142—many of which are similar—is to introduce a mandatory requirement for authorisation...
Lewis Macdonald:
Lab
Our amendments 1, 25 and 105, by contrast with Jean Turner's, seek to remove the witness requirements for verbal authorisations under section 6. We welcome t...
Janis Hughes (Glasgow Rutherglen) (Lab):
Lab
The committee has a strong view that we must do everything possible to encourage potential donors to register, whether by telephone or online. I am concerned...
Lewis Macdonald:
Lab
I agree with Janis Hughes.
The Convener:
SNP
I ask Jean Turner to indicate whether she is going to press or withdraw amendment 115.
Dr Turner:
Ind
I will press the amendment. When things go wrong, it is nice to have the exact documentation. Many things can go wrong with computers these days, and the one...
The Convener:
SNP
The question is, that amendment 115 be agreed to. Are we agreed?
Members:
No.