Professor shares organ donation expertise

A leading University of Wolverhampton academic has been providing her expertise to Parliament about ways of increasing consent rates for organ donation.

Professor Magi Sque is an internationally-renowned expert in the psychological and social aspects of organ donation.

As a result of her ground-breaking research, Professor Sque was invited to the House of Lords to discuss increasing consent rates in front of an audience of MPs, Peers and members of the transplant community including patients and clinicians.

The aim was to develop a set of recommendations on how an increase in organ donation can best be achieved. Professor Sque, who is Chair in Clinical Practice and Innovation at the University’s School of Health and Wellbeing and The Royal Wolverhampton Hospitals NHS Trust, was joined by Senior Research Fellow Dr Wendy Walker at the event, which was organised by campaign group Transplant 2013.

Professor Sque said: “My opinion is that we have by no means exhausted our efforts or resources in driving up organ donation after death and this is where I would like to see efforts intensified.

“At the Parliamentary seminar, I discussed the role of hospital staff and services; the education of hospital staff about this issue and also the approach to families.

“I was honoured to be asked to be part of the panel at the House of Lords and to be able to contribute to an on-going debate and discussion on this important issue.”

Increasing consent rates has been identified by the Organ Donation Taskforce as a key achievement that will lead to a significant increase in the number of organs available for transplant.

Panel members at the parliamentary seminar were invited to outline their perspective on how consent rates can be increased, which was followed by discussion and questions.

Transplant 2013 is a coalition of patient groups, clinical groups and industry representing the voice of the organ donation and transplantation community in England.

ENDS

Picture: Dr Wendy Walker and Professor Magi Sque at Westminster Hall

For media inquiries please contact Vickie Warren in the Media Relations Office on 01902 322736