Baby signed up for organ donation when in hospital?

[Unexpectedletter]

Hi, this is a bit sensitive before I start. So recently my gorgeous newborn was readmitted and had a long hospital stay. It was very touch and go but thankfully he is still with us and we’re home now.

Not long after returning home I received a letter, thanking me for signing him up for organ donation.

Obviously there is every chance in a panic I could have signed something to say this, and not remember it, I do remember signing some forms that were handed to me in resus. I just wondered if this was standard practice now that people are signed up for organ donation when in hospital? It really hit home Reading and I think it was at that moment all my barriers of ‘strength’ just crashed down.

Just wondered if anyone knows why I might have received this? I’m not sure if when you’re being told to prepare yourselves is the best time to sign forms like that as I didn’t even read them it.

I am fully on board with organ donation though FWIW so I guess there’s not much point to asking, just still trying to process things I guess and this is another unanswered question... thanks anyway for reading.

I do think you need to query it, because if you don't remember signing it then there is no true consent. At the very least if you are on board with organ donation with regards to your baby, you should be properly re-consented. It's important.

Was the letter from the hospital? If not the timing may be a coincidence as I think I signed my daughter up for organ donation when I a) registered her with our GP and b) registered her birth.

That’s pretty awful. I am fully behind raising the rate of organ donation but nobody should be sending people into hopitals to get numbers up.

Firstly I'm delighted your little one is home and well.
I bet you can't stop kissing the face off him,can you.
I'm no expert on the organ donor register. However surely its legally and morally way out of line to ask a deveatated mother to sign something so important. You were In absolute despair. You wouldn't have had a clue what you were saying, agreeing to or signing.
I know they have to ask quickly as organs are only viable for a few days.
and of course no one is going to put their babies on the Donor Register as no parent even wants to contemplate that.
Which is why in a way I think everyone from birth should be automatically on the Register and it should be opt out rather than opt in.

I haven’t signed my children up for organ donation, and honestly didn’t know that you could (in advance, that is).

So I’d be very interested to know if you were handed that in hospital without having anyone explain what it was.

How appalling and devastating for you to receive this letter. Hope your little one is fully well and send my very best wishes to you both

Isn't it an Opt Out of organ donation now rather than Opt In?

Pleased to hear your baby is home and well now.

I also wonder if it’s a coincidence as like a previous poster, this happened when I registered DD at docs too.

I signed my children onto the organ donor register when I registered them with the GP. There were forms in with other stuff to sign. I agree that you might have done it then and the timing is coincidental.

Also, the donor register doesn’t mean you won’t be asked for consent st the point when they would be considering organ donation.

I foo tbought it was opt out now instead of opt in. I'm thinking this was more likely done when you registered him at the GP than related to his stay in hospital.
There are people in hospital who sentitively talk about organ donation but only if the patient is extremely likely to die .

God I hate this phone. So many errors.

Do you remember signing him up to the GP? I don't think it's an opt out system yet.
As I recall, you select which organs you'd be willing to donate (never done it for a child).

I'm so happy to hear you lo is home and doing well.
In my experience when my ds1 was in NICU (prolonged stay micro preemie birth) I was asked during a particularly harrowing time what my position regarding organ donation was. But it was made very clear to me, what they were saying and what I was agreeing to, this was done in depth and very sensitively. (Thankfully my boy pulled through)
I would query this simply because if you don't remember signing or having it explained to you then you didn't give true consent and they need to be made aware of that so it can be addressed and corrected.
I remember that 'crash' of emotion you describe very well, be gentle with yourself, and take care.

Thank you everyone for your replies.
I hadn’t had a chance to register him at the Doctors yet, he was only 2 weeks old when admitted.
The letter was from an organ donation service with his name on. I’m happy to leave him on it, just wondered if it was standard but things were looking very bad so perhaps it is only in that situation.

Wales has an opt out system. England has opt in. It isn’t consent to allow transplant. That has to be given at the point an organ becomes available (unless in Wales, when it would still be discussed).

It’s a bit distasteful though when the Op’s baby son has been so unwell. I think it’s unforgivable personally.