Liberal Democrat MP for Richmond Park, Sarah Olney, has penned an open letter to the Prime Minister today, 20 March, signed by over 110 experts, individuals and organisations.  

The signatories are urging immediate actions to address the shortage of organ, blood and stem cell donors in the UK, in addition to vital reforms to save lives and improve health outcomes for ethnic minority and mixed heritage communities.

The signatories, such as Lib Dem leader, Sir Ed Davey, Sir Trevor Phillips, Alastair Campbell and Jay Blades MBE, also include other MPs, medical professionals, patients, and donors to represent a broad cross-section of the UK's population. 

Headed by the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Ethnicity Transplantation and Transfusion, the letter calls for vital reforms to save lives and improve health outcomes for ethnic minority and mixed heritage communities.

The letter outlines three recommendations for the government: 

• Improved governance and accountability through a review of transplant pathways
• Enhanced data reporting and transparency to identify health disparities 
• Increased education and awareness to highlight the importance of donation. 

These recommendations come in the wake of the "Where are our nation's donors?" report launched in December 2024, which sheds light on the significant challenges faced by patients from mixed heritage and ethnic minority communities in accessing life-saving treatments in the UK.

The letter requests a meeting with the Prime Minister to discuss the implementation of the Inquiry's recommendations and to consider direct actions for immediate improvements.

The APPG for Ethnicity Transplantation and Transfusion eagerly awaits the Prime Minister's response and is ready to work alongside the government and other stakeholders to implement these crucial changes.

Sarah Olney MP, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Ethnicity Transplantation and Transfusion said: 

"The unity and diversity of the signatories of this letter demonstrate the widespread recognition of the issues at hand and the collective will to address them. 

"We are at a critical juncture where action can lead to significant improvements in health benefits, save many lives, and reduce the financial cost to the British taxpayer.

"We believe that with coordinated effort and strong leadership, significant progress can be made. These steps will not only improve the lives of those urgently in need of transplant and transfusion treatments but also contribute to a more equitable and effective healthcare system for all."

Part of the open letter sent to Prime Minister Rish Sunak (Photo: Sarah Olney MP)