About Organ Tissue Donation Transplantation (OTDT)

OTDT is the directorate within NHSBT that is responsible for organ and tissue donation, retrieval, and allocation of organs and tissues from donors across the UK. There are a number of solid organ advisory groups which comprise senior clinicians (surgeons, physicians and nurse coordinators), commissioners and members of the UK Department of Health and members of NHSBT. Their function is not only to advise on selection and allocation policies, but also to promote organ and tissue donation and transplantation, monitor outcomes and ensure good governance.

The role of Lay members

The role of a Lay Member is to provide an independent, objective, external and effective lay/public view to the Advisory Groups, and to work with other members of the Advisory Group to agree priorities and the work programme, develop and review clinical and other policies and promote more effective interaction with other stakeholders, including patients and patient groups. They will be a full and active member of the Advisory Group. 

Lay Members must be committed to public service and to NHSBT’s purpose. They must have the courage to speak out and challenge, working consistently with fellow members from across the organ transplantation community and communicating confidently both within and outside the organisation. 

Lay members are not clinicians and will not become involved with clinical decisions about individual patients.

Advisory groups

The Advisory Groups are the key fora for clinicians and scientists to meet with representatives from NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT), commissioners and Departments of Health and others to review and develop policies, assess outcomes, and work with partners and stakeholders to improve outcomes for patients. 

The solid organ advisory groups discuss:

  • Donation activity
  • Transplant activity
  • Waiting times
  • Equity of access
  • Selection and organ allocation
  • Organ Utilisation
  • Transplant outcomes and research

Lay members

Each Solid Organ Advisory Group has appointed 2 members to each of the Advisory Groups; the appointment of these Lay Members will complement and not replace the work with patients and patient groups. The current appointed Members are:

Lay members are not clinicians and will not become involved with clinical decisions about individual patients.