accessibility: customise display

Policy Statements

The Trustees of Transplants in Mind have a greed a set of policy statements on a number of current issues regarding donation and transplantation. It is hoped that the media and members of the public will refer to these statements when they require comment from TIM on a particular issue. The media are free to refer to, and quote these statements.

Presumed Consent

TIM are supportive of the renewed Government debate on organ and tissue donation, and hope that this raises the profile of donation and transplantation in the UK. TIM welcome and are supportive of any initiative that will ethically increase the number of successful transplants that take place in the UK each year.

Living Donation

TIM recognise that cadaveric donation is falling and that the role of living donation is becoming more important, particularly for kidney transplants. We are supportive of living donation as long as the strict guidelines and protocols are followed to safeguard both donor and recipient. However, transplantation from cadaveric donors continue to be the only “treatment” for many conditions and therefore TIM will be carrying out research, education and awareness campaigns to increase all forms of organ and tissue donation, and to improve the outcome of transplanted organs.

Paying for Oversees Transplant Operations

TIM wishes to increase the number of transplants in the UK to ensure that critically ill patients can be treated in the UK through the NHS, so that they do not face the moral dilemma of considering going abroad for a transplant to become well again. Moreover, transplants that have been carried out abroad to lower standards than in the UK place additional burdons on the NHS, in terms of aftercare and support.

Current Waiting Lists

The transplant waiting list continues to rise. In some ways this is inevitable as technology and techniques improve allowing more conditions to be treated through transplantation. TIM recognise that there are many people for whom a transplant would be the best form of treatment, but who are not placed on the transplant waiting list due to the lack of resources. TIM continue to campaign to increase the number of transplants in the UK, and hope to carry out pioneering research to improve the level and outcomes of transplantation to make the best use of the available resources.

Conditional Donation

TIM does not support conditional donation. Donation is considered as a Gift on which no conditions should be placed. Donated organs should go to those patients who are in greatest need, and who will survive longest, in line with the protocols agreed within the NHS.