Agenda item

MOTION E  -  2014/15

Councillor Morton has given notice that he will MOVE the following MOTION:

Organ Donation

This Council notes:

·         Three people die every day in the UK whilst waiting for an organ transplant and many others lose their lives before they even get on to the transplant list.

·         There is a serious shortage of organs and the gap between the number of organs donated and the number of people waiting for a transplant is increasing.

·         Transplants are very successful and the number of people needing a transplant is expected to rise steeply due to an ageing population, an increase in kidney failure and scientific advances which mean that more people are now able to benefit from a transplant

·         The consent rate for organ transplants is one of the lowest in Europe, with four in ten families saying no to allowing their loved one’s organs to be donated. This is exacerbated because many people have not recorded their wishes about donation or discussed it with their families in advance.

·         One donor can save the life of several people, restore the sight of two others and improve the quality of life of many more. Each year 3,500 people give organs - saving and transforming lives.

·         In 2015 the Human Transplantation Wales Act will introduce a soft opt-out system for consent to deceased organ and tissue donation in Wales to increase the number of organs and tissues available for transplant. A similar system has been recently proposed in the Scottish Parliament.

This Council resolves:

• To promote and support organ donation in partnership with Whittington Health, Haringey/Islington Council and NHS Blood and Transplant. - This partnership is the first of its kind between local councils and an integrated care organisation and is a further mark of our commitment to deliver for our community.

• To raise awareness to enable more people with life threatening conditions to benefit from organ donations from people whose lives have been cruelly cut short.

• To encourage the Government to investigate implementing a nationwide soft opt-out organ donation system in line with the model which is due to be introduced by the National Assembly for Wales.

MOTION F - 2014/15

Councillor Elliott  has given notice that she will MOVE the following MOTION:

Mental Health

This Council notes that:

• Mental health issues will affect 1 in 4 people at some point in their lives.
• That 54,000 people in Haringey will suffer from mental health issues.
• 2,413 young people in Haringey will be affected by mental health issues.
• Mental health issues shorten life expectancy by 15 to 20 years.

This Council is concerned that the funding for the advocacy service run by Mind in Haringey is due to end in December after 23 years. This Council is also concerned that this could leave a gap in this vital service until the tendering process is complete.

This council further notes that the Liberal Democrats in Government:

• have announced £120 million of extra funding for mental health
• have introduced waiting times for talking therapies for the first time
• £7m investment in NHS England to create 50 new inpatient beds for children and young people, and better case management

This council calls on the Labour administration to take urgent action to ensure that an appropriate advocacy service is available for local people with mental health issues in January and commit the council to improving mental health services.

Due to the late hour the Mayor advised that MOTION E only would be considered.

MOTION E- 2014/15

Councillor Morton MOVED the following MOTION E:

Organ Donation

This Council notes:

·         Three people die every day in the UK whilst waiting for an organ transplant and many others lose their lives before they even get on to the transplant list.

·         There is a serious shortage of organs and the gap between the number of organs donated and the number of people waiting for a transplant is increasing.

·         Transplants are very successful and the number of people needing a transplant is expected to rise steeply due to an ageing population, an increase in kidney failure and scientific advances which mean that more people are now able to benefit from a transplant

·         The consent rate for organ transplants is one of the lowest in Europe, with four in ten families saying no to allowing their loved one’s organs to be donated. This is exacerbated because many people have not recorded their wishes about donation or discussed it with their families in advance.

·         One donor can save the life of several people, restore the sight of two others and improve the quality of life of many more. Each year 3,500 people give organs - saving and transforming lives.

·         In 2015 the Human Transplantation Wales Act will introduce a soft opt-out system for consent to deceased organ and tissue donation in Wales to increase the number of organs and tissues available for transplant. A similar system has been recently proposed in the Scottish Parliament.

This Council resolves:

·         To promote and support organ donation in partnership with Whittington Health, Haringey/Islington Council and NHS Blood and Transplant. - This partnership is the first of its kind between local councils and an integrated care organisation and is a further mark of our commitment to deliver for our community.

·         To raise awareness to enable more people with life threatening conditions to benefit from organ donations from people whose lives have been cruelly cut short.

·         To encourage the Government to investigate implementing a nationwide soft opt-out organ donation system in line with the model which is due to be introduced by the National Assembly for Wales.

Councillor Connor seconded the MOTION.

On a vote there being 55 for and nil against the MOTION was carried unanimously.

RESOLVED

This Council notes:

·         Three people die every day in the UK whilst waiting for an organ transplant and many others lose their lives before they even get on to the transplant list.

·         There is a serious shortage of organs and the gap between the number of organs donated and the number of people waiting for a transplant is increasing.

·         Transplants are very successful and the number of people needing a transplant is expected to rise steeply due to an ageing population, an increase in kidney failure and scientific advances which mean that more people are now able to benefit from a transplant

·         The consent rate for organ transplants is one of the lowest in Europe, with four in ten families saying no to allowing their loved one’s organs to be donated. This is exacerbated because many people have not recorded their wishes about donation or discussed it with their families in advance.

·         One donor can save the life of several people, restore the sight of two others and improve the quality of life of many more. Each year 3,500 people give organs - saving and transforming lives.

·         In 2015 the Human Transplantation Wales Act will introduce a soft opt-out system for consent to deceased organ and tissue donation in Wales to increase the number of organs and tissues available for transplant. A similar system has been recently proposed in the Scottish Parliament.

This Council resolves:

·         To promote and support organ donation in partnership with Whittington Health, Haringey/Islington Council and NHS Blood and Transplant. - This partnership is the first of its kind between local councils and an integrated care organisation and is a further mark of our commitment to deliver for our community.

·         To raise awareness to enable more people with life threatening conditions to benefit from organ donations from people whose lives have been cruelly cut short.

·         To encourage the Government to investigate implementing a nationwide soft opt-out organ donation system in line with the model which is due to be introduced by the National Assembly for Wales.

There being no further business to discuss the meeting ended at 21.57hrs.