A new organ donation law in England is set to come into force on 20th May 2020. According to the new law, all adults in the UK will automatically donate their organs when they die. People can register to opt-out of the system, if they wish.
In situations where an individual hasn’t recorded their decision, specialist nurses will support the family in making the right decision.
Dr. Martin Scurr, who is no stranger to the transplant world, has been a renal donor to his wife. Both his son and stepson have undergone organ transplants and it has saved their lives.
He says that “the new law will save more lives. It offers a soft opt-out choice, in which the family of the deceased gets the final say.”
However not all are convinced of the new system. Dr. Chris Rudge, who is UK Transplant’s first Medical Director, believes that the introduction of the new law is ethically questionable if there is no major public information campaign.
“Based on the experience in Wales and Spain, the government in England needs to take advice from the experts in Wales so that it can be presented in the best way possible.”
“In the current circumstances it is even more important that there is a full discussion with the possible donor’s family. If the person had not opted out it is necessary to establish that they were aware of the law, and knew that they had to opt-out if they did not want to be a donor.”
In light of the coronavirus outbreak, he believes that the implementation of the new opt-out law should be delayed.
Dr. Gabriel Oniscu, Clinical Director of the Edinburgh Transplant Centre, believes COVID-19 has increased the complexities of organ donation in the UK.
”The intensive carers are overwhelmed fighting the coronavirus and organ donation is not their priority since the process can take up to a few hours. The lockdown has also impacted the logistics of retrieval and transport.”
However for some, the new law offers a lifeline. Edward Dodd, who is waiting for a kidney transplant believes the law will be viewed as a landmark judgement in the years to come.
”Even if one person gets to be with their family, one grandparent gets to see their grandchild, one parent gets to see their sons or daughter’s wedding. It is going to be worth it.”
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Standfirst
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HeadlineThe organ donation law in England is changing tomorrow
Short HeadlineOrgan donation to move to opt-out system
StandfirstAll adults will automatically be considered an organ donor unless they register their decision to opt-out.
A new organ donation law in England is set to come into force on 20th May 2020. According to the new law, all adults in the UK will automatically donate their organs when they die. People can register to opt-out of the system, if they wish.
In situations where an individual hasn’t recorded their decision, specialist nurses will support the family in making the right decision.
Dr. Martin Scurr, who is no stranger to the transplant world, has been a renal donor to his wife. Both his son and stepson have undergone organ transplants and it has saved their lives.
He says that “the new law will save more lives. It offers a soft opt-out choice, in which the family of the deceased gets the final say.”
However not all are convinced of the new system. Dr. Chris Rudge, who is UK Transplant’s first Medical Director, believes that the introduction of the new law is ethically questionable if there is no major public information campaign.
“Based on the experience in Wales and Spain, the government in England needs to take advice from the experts in Wales so that it can be presented in the best way possible.”
“In the current circumstances it is even more important that there is a full discussion with the possible donor’s family. If the person had not opted out it is necessary to establish that they were aware of the law, and knew that they had to opt-out if they did not want to be a donor.”
In light of the coronavirus outbreak, he believes that the implementation of the new opt-out law should be delayed.
Dr. Gabriel Oniscu, Clinical Director of the Edinburgh Transplant Centre, believes COVID-19 has increased the complexities of organ donation in the UK.
”The intensive carers are overwhelmed fighting the coronavirus and organ donation is not their priority since the process can take up to a few hours. The lockdown has also impacted the logistics of retrieval and transport.”
However for some, the new law offers a lifeline. Edward Dodd, who is waiting for a kidney transplant believes the law will be viewed as a landmark judgement in the years to come.
”Even if one person gets to be with their family, one grandparent gets to see their grandchild, one parent gets to see their sons or daughter’s wedding. It is going to be worth it.”
