Organ donation week: what we all need to know

One organ donor can save or transform the lives of up to nine people. But sadly every day in the UK, three people die in need of an organ. Organ donation week is now on and runs until Sunday 8 September, and there’s something important everyone should know: in spring 2020, the law on organ donation is changing. All adults will be automatically opted-in as a donor, unless they state otherwise. UNISON NHS Blood and Transplant Chair Bev Easton, explains: “The sensitivity with organ donation comes from the fact that, when a loved one is passing away, it’s such an emotional time. Friends and families can become protective. “If your friends or family don’t know what your preferences are before you die, your organs may not be given to those in need” “I have a donor card, so it’s clear what my intentions are when I pass away. “But if I’m someone who hasn’t told my family or made my intentions known, then when I die my family can turn around and say they didn’t know anything about this, and my organs that could have saved several lives will not be shared as I intended” “The coming change in the law is going to flip the existing system on its head: everyone will be automatically registered to be a donor, and you will have to proactively opt-out.” This means that if you have not confirmed whether you want to be an organ donor – either by recording a decision on the NHS Organ Donor Register or by speaking to friends or family – it will b...
Source: UNISON Health care news - Category: UK Health Authors: Tags: Article blood and transplant health NHS organ donation Source Type: news