The Human Tissue (Authorisation) (Scotland) Bill, external follows similar legislation passed in Wales in 2015, and allows parts of an adult's body to be used in transplants in the absence of express permission.

However, it includes provisions to make sure the wishes of families and next of kin continue to be respected, and excludes children and adults who do not have the capacity to understand the rules.

MSPs considered an opt-out system in the previous parliamentary term, but narrowly rejected a member's bill from Labour's Anne McTaggart due to "serious concerns" about the "practical impact of the specific details".

Image source, NHS BLOOD AND TRANSPLANT

Ministers promised to consider the idea, and have brought forward their own legislation with the backing of British Medical Association Scotland and 82% of respondents in a consultation.

There have been calls for other parts of the UK to follow the Welsh model, and MPs have backed making a similar change in England.

A study of the Welsh system found that it had not increased the number of donors across its first two years, although Health Secretary Vaughan Gething said it was "too early to know the true impact" of the change.

Tory MSP Miles Briggs tells the story of when he was at Aberdeen University where a fellow student Millie Forbes needed a bone marrow transplant and inspired many students to sign up to the Anthony Nolan register and the organ donor register.

If you’re between 16 – 30 and in good health, you can sign up to the Anthony Nolan register, external (you’ll stay on it until you turn 60).

Image source, bbc

According to the Press and Journal:

In the last year of Millie Forbes's life after she was diagnosed with leukaemia, she inspired more than 2,000 people to sign up to the bone marrow register in the hope that she might find a match to save her life.

The Press and Journal even stepped in and launched a campaign to encourage people to donate after Millie discovered a transplant was her only hope.

But sadly, despite finding a successful match, it was too late for the young woman from Aberdeenshire, who died at the age of just 21 in August 2004.

But to this day her legacy lives on – and today two north-east men share their story about how she inspired them to join the register and how they ended up playing vital roles in complete strangers’ lives.

Read the rest of the Press and Journal article here., external

Mr Macdonald says the bill should bring the number of people who are registered to donate closer to the number of people who want to.

While in Wales the new law did not at first increase donation rates, the number has started to pick up thanks to an awareness campaign, he says.

The health committee convener highlights the dual role of families for organ donation - both providing medical history and authorising the donation.

The law already says the wishes of the donor take priority over the wishes of the family, Mr Macdonald says, but he highlights that doctors would be hesitant to use organs where families did not want it.

This demonstrates the important role of organ donation nurses he adds.

A shift to an "opt-out" system for organ donation has been backed by MSPs on Holyrood's health committee.

They expressed support for the bill which would see a major change to the system in Scotland.

At present, people must "opt in" by registering to donate their organs for transplants after they die.

Under the bill before the Scottish Parliament, it will be assumed people were in favour of donation unless they have stated otherwise.

The Human Tissue (Authorisation) (Scotland) Bill will now be considered by the full parliament.

• Does an opt-out system increase transplants?

Health committee convener Lewis Macdonald begins by quoting lung transplant recipient Gillian Hollis giving MSPs a neat summary of this bill.

Mr Macdonald quotes: "Tell us if you want to donate, tell us if you don't want to donate and if you don't tell us anything we'll presume you have authorised donation."

He continues praising those who had first hand experience of donations or waiting for an organ who helped shape the Human Tissue (Authorisation) (Scotland) Bill.

Image source, bbc

"The fundamental purpose of this bill is to enable an increase in rates of organ donation in order to save lives."

The tragedy of people dying while waiting on the donor list remains, he says and Wales has taken over Scotland as having the highest proportion of the population on the donor list.

Adults in Wales are presumed to have consented to organ donation unless they have opted out, following the passing of the Human Transplantation (Wales) Act.

The public health minister highlights the bill includes a new duty to inquire, which means the views of the potential donor will be safeguarded at all times.

Families also have an important role to play to highlight if a person did not wish to be a donor or even changed their mind more recently, he says.

Lib Dem MSP Mike Rumbles expresses concern that the bar for families to be able to intervene will be higher than it is now.

Tory MSP Maurice Corry wonders about the power of attorney.

Mr Fitzpatrick says it will be the responsibility of nurses to ensure they are speaking to the most appropriate person regarding the wishes of a donor.

Awareness raising activity will be rolled out alongside the legislation, some of which will specifically be directed towards harder-to-reach communities the minister adds.

Mr Fitzpatrick points to the appointment of a regional manager for transplant nurses and a secondary school education pack as steps forward.

The public awareness campaign by the government has led to Scotland having the highest proportion of its population on the NHS donor list at 52%.

He says former Labour MSP Anne McTaggart's member's bill was important.

The minister says the approach in the bill is to be transparent and retain a high degree of trust in organ donations.

Mr FitzPatrick says if there are steps we can make to ensure more people donate, we should take them.

He summarises the planned opt-out system as being one in which a person not known to have any objection to organ donation can be a donor.

This will apply to most people over 16 he says.

But the bill includes safeguards to protect those who do not want to donate organs and those who are not able to provide informed consent.

Image source, bbc

Public Health Minister Joe Fitzpatrick says the transplantation of organs is a testament to the wonders of the NHS and those who donate.

Mr Fitzpatrick says there has been a significant increase in the number of organ and tissue transplants, thanks to the incredible generosity of donors.

But the minister tells the chamber too many people are waiting for a life saving transplant.

Over 500 people are waiting for an organ at any one time, he adds.

Image source, bbc

Last summer legislation was tabled at Holyrood to shift Scotland to an "opt-out" system for organ donation.

At present, people must opt in to the system in order to donate their organs for transplants after they die.

Under the proposals published at the Scottish Parliament, it will be assumed people were in favour of donation unless they have stated otherwise.

Medics will still check with families to confirm the deceased person's views, and ensure they understand the process.

Public Health Minister Aileen Campbell said the move was "part of driving a long-term change in attitudes towards organ and tissue donation".

• Does an opt-out system increase transplants?
• Read more here

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MSPs will now debate the Human Tissue (Authorisation) (Scotland) Bill, external for the first time, before voting on its general principles at decision time.

The legislation, if passed, will shift Scotland to an "opt-out" system for organ donation.

Image source, Google

Two newborn babies who died in a Glasgow maternity hospital had been infected with a rare bacterium that has never been seen before in Scotland.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde announced on 31 January that the two premature babies had died at the Princess Royal Maternity Hospital.

The health board has now confirmed they had been infected with a rare strain of the staphylococcus aureus bacterium.

The strain has only been recorded in two other countries in the world.

Read more here.

Lib Dem MSP Alex Cole-Hamilton says the investigation into the water contamination incident at the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow was instigated in March.

That report was concluded in December, but the government only released it this week he highlights.

What are the reasons for delays he asks.

Ms Freeman says identifying the exact source of the water contamination issue and taking the necessary steps to address that was a large part of why it took the time it did for the work to be undertaken.

In terms of the government receiving the report, the health secretary explains she took the view publishing the week before Christmas would not have been the most helpful thing to do.

She also says she had to be sure the work fit into the wider independent review.

I had hoped to be able to say today who would be leading this but I am not able to do that, Ms Freeman adds.

Image source, bbc

Green MSP Alison Johnstone agrees that all NHS staff have a critical role to play in patient safety.

Ms Johnstone asks for assurances that staff will be given sufficient time to receive necessary training.

Part of that will come through the staffing bill, replies the minister.

Ms Freeman says she wants to make sure that maintenance, housekeeping and catering voices are integral in the overall approach a board takes in terms of infection prevention and control.

Labour MSP Monica Lennon says the thoughts of Scottish Labour remain with the families of those who have died.

She says a culture of secrecy has clouded NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde's communication which has led to a loss a confidence in the health board.

Ms Lennon asks about other rare infections, including how many people have died and how many have been treated, in the last 12 months.

The health secretary agrees to write to Ms Lennon with the specifics to ensure all information is accurate.

She accepts public communication has not been as good as it should have been and adds the Scottish government is working with the health board on this.

Historic information will be passed on to the independent review group, she confirms.

Image source, bbc

Tory MSP Miles Briggs adds his thoughts to the families affected.

Mr Briggs says public confidence has been shaken by the events in Glasgow.

The Tory MSP asks how will the health secretary will ensure all recommendations from the review are picked up by all health boards

"I understand public confidence has been shaken", Ms Freeman replies.

That is the reason for this statement she adds.

The health secretary commits to make any interim recommendations public, as well as the government's response.

Image source, bbc