Local MSP Jackie Baillie has welcomed the news that the SNP Government has announced plans to adopt an opt-out system for organ donation, after years of pressure from Labour MSPs, clinicians and campaigners.

The opt-out system was initially championed by former Labour MSP for Glasgow, Anne McTaggart, who brought forward a Member’s Bill in the last parliament that was voted down by the SNP.

At the time Nationalist MSP John Mason suggested that the SNP voted against the Bill because of their backbenchers’ dislike of Jackie Baillie, who was a leading supporter of the legislation.
 
Scottish Labour took up the issue again after the most recent Scottish Parliament elections, fighting alongside relatives and campaigners for the change in organ donation law.
 
The SNP’s change of heart has been welcomed as a victory for hardworking campaigners.
 
Jackie said:
 
“Scottish Labour welcomes the move to an opt-out system for organ donation, which is something we have been fighting for over many years. This long overdue change will increase the number of transplants that take place and, fundamentally, it will save lives.
 
“Rather than leading the UK on this issue, Scotland has been trailing behind other countries like Wales after SNP MSPs voted to block a backbench Labour MSP’s plans in the last parliament. The Nationalists put petty party politics before people’s lives in the previous vote but their change of heart is welcome. The fact that this is finally happening is testament to the hard work of relatives, campaigners and transplant recipients.
 
“The SNP government must now move as swiftly as possible to introduce this system for organ donation and include the Bill in its programme for government in September.”
 
Notes

‘Other SNP backbenchers couldn’t vote for life-saving Bill because Jackie Baillie backed it says SNP MSP’ – http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/14269094.SNP_MSPs_killed_of_transplant_bill_because_they_don_t_like_Jackie_Baillie_says_party_colleague/