The cost involved to an individual in donating a Kidney can be considerable. All those contemplating this procedure should consider both this section, and the section entitled ‘What other practical aspects need considering?’ in the main Live Kidney Donation information on this website.
This is an extract from a letter to The Royal Liverpool University Hospitals which originates from Lord Hunt of Kings Heath, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State in the Department of Health.
“As you are aware, the Human Organ Transplants Act 1989 forbids payment for supplying a human organ, but this does not include payment of expenses or loss of earnings incurred by a person so far as reasonably and directly attributable to his supplying an organ from his body. In other words anyone - the potential recipient of the organ or the donors employer, for example - is permitted to reimburse the donor for such expenses or loss of earnings. In the past hospitals and Health Authorities have asked us whether they are permitted to make such payment and if so which body should pay. Our advice has been that they are permitted to do so (although they are under no obligation) and that if they decide to do so payment should be made by the Health Authority paying for the transplant operation since that authority would be meeting all other costs associated with the removal of the organ from the donor.
I am pleased to hear that the majority of Health Authorities have been prepared to provide this money. However, as I have indicated, neither the NHS nor any other body is compelled to compensate a donor in this way. I would hope, however, that Health Authorities continue to respond positively in circumstances where this is a crucial issue.”
Not everyone is in employment where they will be entitled to be paid their full salary for all periods of sickness absence. They will probably be entitled to statutory sick pay but would need to contact the DSS to confirm. If the person is a member of a union, legal advice may be available from there.
The NKF recognises that each case will be different and will need to be considered on its merits, however the NKF does recommend that a Renal Social Worker be involved at the beginning to assist in making careful and clear claims to the Health Authority.
The following list of matters that a potential donor will need to consider is not exhaustive, however it gives an indication of the financial implications that may arise from donating an organ. Individual variations will apply.
We have now received a response (May 2001) from the UK Department of Health on ‘Reimbursement of a Living Organ Donor’s expenses by the NHS’.
The National Kidney Federation cannot accept responsibility for information provided. The above is for guidance only. Patients are advised to seek further information from their own doctor.
Page created: 19 May 2001
Last updated: 19 March 2008
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