Norman Lamb MP
Minister of State (Care and Support)
Department of Health
Richmond House
79 Whitehall
London
SW1A 2NS
Date: 24th March 2014
Ref: ML.N0016.AR.24.03.14
Dear Norman,
I have recently been contacted by constituents regarding the availability of lung transplants in different areas of the country. They note that one in three people with cystic fibrosis on the lung transplant list are dying without getting the transplant they need. Moreover, where someone lives in the UK can dramatically affect their chances of being offered new lungs.
As the system currently operates, donor lungs are first offered to those on the nearest centre’s waiting list, despite the fact that elsewhere in the UK there could be an individual in greater need, with greater survival prospects. The Cystic Fibrosis Trust has published a report, which recommends that a national lung allocation system based on need, not location, is introduced. It argues that this is the only way to make the most of donated organs.
Please will you work with NHS Blood and Transplant to make the transition towards a more effective system?
I look forward to hearing back from you so that I can pass on your comments to my constituents.
Yours sincerely,
Caroline Lucas MP, Brighton Pavilion
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