The change in organ donation law: what does it mean and why must we talk about it?

Published: 21st June 2020

You’ve probably heard about the recent change in organ donation law which means that, now, everyone over the age of 16 is automatically assumed to be an organ donor. Known as an opt-out system, the only way you will not be on the organ donor register, is by actively removing yourself from the list.

Implemented on the 20^th of May, known by many as Max and Kiera’s law, the change has been put in place in an attempt to increase the number of organs being donated, and therefore the number of lives being saved and improved by transplantation. Currently in the UK, there are over 6000 people waiting for a life-saving organ transplant and every day, 3 of them die.

This new change in the way we handle the organ donor register is especially important now that there are more people than ever on the transplant waiting list – so more donated organs are needed than ever before. This stark shortage of organs is especially relevant to BAME communities who are both less likely to receive an organ transplant and less likely to donate. The hope is that with this new opt-out system, the gift of life will be available to people who otherwise would never had received a transplant.

If you’re slightly confused about how this new opt-out system works, there are only a few things you need to remember:

If you are over 16, you are considered to be an organ donor (once you die) and are now on the organ donor register (unless you are a member of an excluded group).
If you do NOT want to donate your organs, you must remove yourself from the register by visiting the NHS Organ Donation Website.
You can change your mind as many times as you want and are able to amend your decision on the NHS Organ Donation website.
You can choose which organs you would like to donate by visiting the NHS Organ Donation website.
Most importantly, if you die, the final decision as to whether you donate your organs will come down to your family whether you are on the register or not. Therefore, you should talk to your family about your wishes.

The final point is the most important : if you die, although medics will always check whether a person is on the organ donation register or not, they will always approach your family to make the final decision based on what they know about you. Therefore, if you’re on the register but your family decide they don’t think you wanted to donate, their decision overrides yours!

So, you must talk to them about what you want. Discuss it over the dinner table, over coffee, or on a walk. It’s just as vital that you know your families wishes too. It can be a difficult subject to talk about but in the end, your decision to donate, if honoured, could save up to 9 lives! Now that’s amazing!

For more information visit: https://www.organdonation.nhs.uk

By Cecilia Adamou