Written Ministerial Statement

The content of this written ministerial statement is as received at the time from the Minister. It has not been subject to the official reporting (Hansard) process.

Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety- Organ Donation

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Published at 8.30 am on Wednesday 16 October 2013

Mr Poots (The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety):  I wish to make a Written Statement to the Assembly to update Members on the public engagement programme to establish attitudes towards organ donation in Northern Ireland.

Earlier this year I announced that I intended to initiate a public engagement process to establish attitudes towards organ donation in order to inform my decision on the future policy for organ donation in Northern Ireland; this work was taken forward by the Public Health Agency and consisted of a public attitude survey and focus group meetings.

I now wish to advise that the Public Health Agency has completed this work and plans to publish the report on its findings at 8.30 am on 16 October. The Public Health Agency will also announce plans for the launch of a major information campaign on organ donation, which is expected to run in the New Year. Should Members wish to obtain a copy of the report, it can be found on the Public Health Agency’s website at www.publichealth.hsni.net .

I now intend to consider the report before making a decision on the future policy for organ donation, including the option of a statutory opt-out system for organ donation.