BRIDGEND MP HIGHLIGHTS CONCERNS OF CAMPAIGN IN PARLIAMENT

Member of Parliament for Bridgend raises issues in the HouseMrs. Madeleine Moon (Bridgend) (Lab): May we have a debate on whether people should have to opt out of kidney transplantation, rather than opt in to it? My constituent, Mark Schofield, recently travelled to the Philippines in an attempt to buy a kidney for £40,000, when the one donated by his mother Jean failed. We are now at the stage where 380 people in Wales are waiting for kidney transplants. Could we consider moving the situation forward, to an opt-out rather than an opt-in?

Ms Harman: I will draw my hon. Friend’s comments to the attention of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health. We all know that transplantation of a donated organ can transform the life of the recipient. We also all know that many people suffer while they are waiting for a transplant or even die before it becomes available. We know, too, that relatives of many people who would be happy to donate their organs often do not receive a request on their behalf. I will bring that matter to the attention of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health.

Jonathan Morgan AM supports Campaign

"As the Chair of the Wales Cross Party Kidney Group in the Assembly I would like to endorse the PEOPLE LIKE US campaign and the positive way it seeks to improve renal services in Wales. I will be lobbying the Minister for firm action."

Mr Morgan is the Chair of Health, Wellbeing and Local Government Committee .He has indicated that he would be happy to take Patients views.

Jonathan was elected to the Assembly in 1999 as one of the regional AMs for South Wales Central after working as European Officer for Coleg Glan Hafren in Cardiff. Between 1999 and 2003 he was the Education Spokesman and was appointed as Health Spokesman on his re-election in 2003. Jonathan was elected as the AM for Cardiff North at the 2007 election.