Human Tissue (Authorisation) (Scotland) Bill: EIA

Executive summary

A full EQIA was carried out to assess the impact of the Human Tissue (Authorisation) (Scotland) Bill. This has identified impacts for Age, Race/Ethnicity, Religion/Belief and Disability protected characteristics.

The EQIA process has demonstrated that none of the proposals are discriminatory and that it will not be necessary to make any specific amendments to the proposed soft opt out system as given effect to by the Human Tissue (Authorisation) (Scotland) Bill.

The proposed system has been developed taking into account the needs of equalities groups and specific mitigating elements have been incorporated where necessary. More broadly, on-going awareness raising work regarding donation and also future awareness raising specifically regarding the opt out system will be important in explaining what choices people will have and also in helping to increase understanding and support for donation more broadly which will help mitigate against any potential negative impacts.