WHAT’S CHANGING?
Following the recent change in legislation, by the end of 2020, all adults in the UK will be deemed to have given their consent to become an Organ Donor.
Deemed consent is when a person is seen to have given consent, unless they have specifically stated otherwise. In this case, that would mean ACTIVELY removing themselves from the Organ Donors Register and making sure their family and close friends know that they specifically do not want to donate. Likewise, the best way to ensure that you do go on to donate is to ACTIVELY register as an Organ Donor and have a meaningful conversation about consent, with the people closest to you. "Yes" or Deemed, there will ALWAYS be a final conversation of consent between the people closest to you and a specialist transplant team.
"NEGATIVE OUTCOME OF FINAL CONVERSATION OF CONSENT, IS THE NUMBER ONE REASON THAT VIABLE ORGAN DONORS DO NOT PROGRESS TO TRANSPLANTATION"
SOURCE: BRITISH MEDICAL JOURNAL
CONFIRMATION OF CONSENT
When a person passes away their family or next of kin will be asked by a specialist nurse, to confirm final consent - allowing for the donation and transplantation of that persons organs. This conversation will always take place with those closest to them as a matter of final consent and confirmation - whether they have registered as an Organ Donor or not. The only time the conversation will NOT take place, is when a person has ACTIVELY removed themselves from the register. They will not Donate.
YES OR NO, LET THEM KNOW.
The change in legislation does not change the fact that a final conversation of consent will still take place as final confirmation that a person organs can go on to be transplanted. So whether you've actively registered as an Organ Donor or you've taken yourself off the register because that's not what you want, let your friends and loved ones know. It's the one way you can be sure your intentions are honoured.
DON'T TAKE IT FOR GRANTED
If you’ve already made your own decision about Organ Donation, whether it’s a yes or a no, whether you’ve registered or not, It’s now more important than ever, that you let your loved ones know too - if you want to make sure you go on to donate.
HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH THE PEOPLE CLOSEST TO YOU.
When it comes to organ donation, words actually do speak louder than actions now. Making sure your loved ones know your intention is the key to ensuring the conversation of final consent goes the way you intended. Find out how they feel about donating too. It’s the people closest to us that will be called upon for final consent.
