Health Issues

The SPA is concerned with highlighting the following issues which have concerned patients. If you have any views on these issues then please let us know by writing to us at: Scotland Patients Association, PO BOX 2817, Glasgow G61 9AY. Alternatively, e-mail contact@scotlandpatients.com

Organ Donation
Complaints Procedure
NHS 24
Postcode Prescribing
Mixing Private and NHS Treatment
E111 and E112 Forms
Car Parking at Hospitals
Transport of Patients to Hospital
Ombudsman

Organ Donation

SPA would like to know what you think about this idea proposed by the Scottish Government and supported by many patients, NHS staff and organisations such as the BMA.

At present people who decide to “opt in” have to carry a signed donor card or register on line to say they are willing to have their organs donated when they die.

It is proposed that it will be accepted that everyone will "opt in" unless they particularly have a reason to "opt out" from this proposed new law.

Before the law is changed, there will be a debate to gauge public feeling on this sensitive issue.

Most people when asked if they would donate their organs say yes, but despite that there are not enough organs, donated on death, to meet the needs of the people whose life depends on such donations.

It is thought that the new idea of the automatic “opt in” law would provide many more donors.

Complaints Procedure

The SPA has written to the Petitions Committee of the Scottish Parliament regarding the NHS complaints procedure and the Ombudsman. Download letter as a PDF file.