Letter: In Brief

I have carried an organ donor card for more than 20 years and , like Esme M Thompson (letter, 8 March) have been following the debate with interest - and rising incredulity. It has never crossed my mind that the ventilator would be switched off before the retrieval of organs. The whole point of ventilation is to maintain temperature, circulation and oxygenation of organs up to and during the point of removal in order to optimise the chances of a successful transplant. What I find astonishing is that anyone could have thought otherwise.

Mrs LINDSAY ATKINSON

Whitley Bay,

Tyne and Wear