THE Evening Times campaign to save lives has been given a massive boost.

 

The Opt for Life campaign petition has been ­continued at the Scottish Parliament following a ­letter from MSP Drew Smith to his colleagues.

MSPs were eager to allow the petition more time to convince the Scottish ­Government that a change in the law in Scotland will save more lives.

The Petitions Committee decided to invite Government officials from Wales to come to Holyrood to explain their new organ donation opt out law to MSPs.

The petition could have been closed at the latest meeting but after praise from politicians and a written request from Mr Smith, it was decided more can be done.

The Glasgow Labour MSP for Glasgow, wrote to the committee convenor, David Stewart, urging the committee to keep the petition open and suggested hearing evidence of how Wales changed the law to an opt-out system.

Mr Smith said: "I am urging the Petitions Committee not to close the opt-out petition, but instead to ­invite the Welsh Health Minister to Scotland to hear more about the change they have made and how we could make it in Scotland too."

The committee agreed it would ask a minister from the Welsh Government to give evidence on the process of moving to their opt out system, the first country in the UK to do so.

The Scottish Government said last month in its ­review or organs donation it was waiting to have the opportunity to assess the Welsh system and was not looking to change the law at this time.

Instead it is running a campaign to increase the organ donor pool by encouraging more people to ­register under the current system as donors.

Scotland currently has around 37% op people registered as donors, higher than the UK figure, but still little more than a third of the population.

A shortage of available organs for transplant leaves thousands of people on waiting lists hoping a ­suitable donor becomes available.

Official figures show an average of three people a day die while still waiting for a suitable organ donor.

Earlier this year, Evening Times editor Tony Carlin and health reporter, Caroline Wilson, whose name the petition is in, appeared before the committee to ­outline the case for a change in the law.

The system would see everyone presumed to consent to allowing their organs to be donated unless they specifically opted out.

There would be safeguards built in to the law to ensure the wishes of relatives were never ignored.

Before deciding to devote more time to the petition at future meetings, MSPs commented on the campaign.

David Stewart, committee convenor, said: "This was a well-researched and very polished petition."

Anne McTaggart, Labour MSP for Glasgow, said: "It is too important an issue for us to close.

"It would ­enhance the ­petition if we were to seek evidence as soon as possible."

Jackson Carlaw, Conservative West of Scotland MSP, said: "This is an issue where most parties allow members to come to their own conclusions and there are concerns on all sides. I have sympathy with the aims."

Mr Carlaw asked if it was better for evidence from Wales to be considered by the health and sport committee.

However, Mr Stewart said it couldn't be guaranteed that the health committee would look at it straight away and it was not on their immediate agenda.

Asking for a minister from Wales to appear is the latest boost for the campaign from the parliament.

The campaign smashed through its target of 10,000 signatures before the Evening Times took the petition to the Scottish Parliament.

Mr Carlin said: "I'm ­delighted that so many MSPs have shown support for the Opt for Life Campaign and in particular that the Petitions Committee has listened in such an informed, compassionate and constructive fashion."

HE continued: "We welcome the news that they will continue to look at this clear and proven legislation which has the capability of saving and transforming so many lives."

The campaign has the support of more than half the MSPs in the Scottish Parliament, who either signed the petition or ­supported a motion by SNP MSP Hums Yusuf, backing the campaign.

Leading health charities, including British Heart Foundation, Scottish Kidney Research, Diabetes UK and Cystic Fibrosis Trust as well as the British Medical Association in Scotland, back the call for a change in the law.

The issue has been debated at Holyrood with cross party support voiced from several MSPs.

High-profile Scottish ­celebrities including TV presenter, Lorraine Kelly and actor, Robert Carlyle have expressed support.

stewart.paterson@ eveningtimes.co.uk