Organ Donation Opt Out

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Just seen on the News that it is hoped organ donation will become 'Opt Out' rather than 'Opt In' by 2020, if the change in law gets through the final stage in the Autumn.
About time, IMO.
It was changed in Wales in 2015
Research shows that 80% of people would be happy to donate their organs, but currently only 37% have got round to signing up.

People who choose to, would still be able to register to 'opt out' , but this will hopefully mean more organs available for the 6000 currently on the waiting list.

My mum died unexpectedly a few years ago. I agreed to have her organs donated. It was a traumatising experience, and not one I’d be prepared to go through again if I lost my husband or daughter.

I will be opting out. Not because I don’t believe in organ donation, but because I believe it would be up to my family to decide if they felt emotionally able to cope with the process of donating my organs.

The problem with opting out so they ask instead is it is too late for you to be asked. You will already be in a coma on life support. If you've opted out then that's it.

If you're in, it's still up to your next of kin to make the final decision.

My understanding is that opt in or opt out you still need permission from next of kin so it is an indicator of the persons wishes.

I don’t think any system opt or opt out can underestimate what an incredibly difficult decision it is for any one to donate their loved ones organs.

I agree that organs are a gift and not for the authorities to take and redistribute. The organs are mine, there shouldn’t be any assumptions around what happens when I die
Ironically, I am a donor but would consider opting it when this comes in as I think it’s such a bad idea

If you opt out you should never be allowed to receive a donor organ.

'Last gift to give'?! You're DEAD. But bollocks, your principles would deny another person life.

Buzz I don't think it would be taken out of your hands though you as the guardian / next of kin can override

“If you opt out you should never be allowed to receive a donor organ.”

You’re saying that as though it’s a threat we should be worried about. The vast VAST majority of people won’t need a organ transplant, so don’t need to consider this.

Besides which, it’s not an equal swap is it? If I am A donor and need a kidney, I get one, but I am not likely to be a contender to donate myself, considering my health issues.

The healthy ones who don’t need to worry are the ones whose organs you want

You can always opt in even under an opt out system (assuming England goes for the Welsh system). That’s how you specify whether you’re only happy to give certain organs rather than give a blanket permission for the lot, and it’s how you can use the system to satisfy your philosophical qualms about control without potentially condemning any actual human beings to a painful death which you could have prevented.

I will be opting out. Not because I don’t believe in organ donation, but because I believe it would be up to my family to decide if they felt emotionally able to cope with the process of donating my organs.

RefuseThe Lies - thank you for replying. However, wouldn't that be an easier decision for your family, by letting them know now, while you are alive and well, that should they ever be asked that is what you would want (if you would), rather than it being a never discussed question at an incredibly difficult time ? Rather than opting out and it not being a choice for them.

Who are these 'authorities' stealing and redistributing organs illicitly??? It's still a documented and policied discussion had between families and doctors with organ donation nurses and support staff. If your family say no after this, then so be it!

They can't ask you. You will already be dead.

But many families can’t cope with their loved one being cut up and parts of them
Taken away. And they’re the ones left grieving, left trying to adapt to their new life without that person in it, so that should be acknowledged and respected.

“Who are these 'authorities' stealing and redistributing organs illicitly???”

Who said this was happening?

I'm a donor :) no reason not to be!

I'm desperately sad at people changing to Opt out after being pro donation. I am someone who will soon be relying on the donation of another to save the life of my child.
It will still be a gift that will mean everything to our family, it will mean seeing my boy smile again, breathe easily again and live a life without as many limits.
Punishing other families because the government are trying to make it easier to save lives makes no sense. You will always have the option, your family will have the option, people who are dying don't.

emsiboob And I think that (guardian / next of kin can override) is the issue. My understanding is that under the current system, nok cannot legally override the wishes of the deceased, but in practice they do - no organ donation team would forcibly remove the body from a grieving family who didn’t, when the time came, want to go through with it. So if that happens now, in an opt in situation where the patients wishes have been made clear, how much harder will it be in an opt out situation, where you may not know what the wishes of your loved one are? I fear an opt out system may actually lead to a fall in donations.

But many families can’t cope with their loved one being cut up and parts of them
Taken away. And they’re the ones left grieving, left trying to adapt to their new life without that person in it, so that should be acknowledged and respected.

They still have the exact same rights as before. The only thing changing is making it easier for people to be on the register. The article states that's something like 86% of people support organ donation but only 37% are on the register. If you're not on the register then you can't donate. And by the time the question is asked, it's too late. It's to try and encourage more supporters to be on the list and to have that discussion with their families

@glintandglide you did. You said you don't want authorities to take and redistribute your organs!

I completely agree with the opt out system.

@Overrunwithlego NOK can and do override the persons wishes. They need consent, a legal requirement, and without it, no donation. That won't change with the new system.

I’m not suggesting they’re doing so illicitly - you’re making out I’m done organ stealing conspiracy theorist. I just don’t think this an area the government should legislate.

The poster above didn’t want her family to override her wishes of donation

I'm full agreement with opt out, I'm not religious though and believe that once I'm dead I'm dead. It's a comforting thought to know I've helped people.

As much as it hurts my heart to think of my children going, I would donate their organs if anything was to ever happen. Again would be a little comfort

Unfortunately that isn't an option unless you have a living will or directive I think.

A lot of PP do sound a bit like conspiracy theorists. The Government with always legislate healthcare. Until it's a private entity. It's government run. They do have medical guidance and a lot of research will be done. I'm sure it's not just MPs going ah yeah sure that'll be fine I think!

*advanced directive

I feel reassured if it is really the case that NOK can override.

In theory I am totally happy for my organs to be donated, but I don't know what particular situation they may be asked for in.
I want someone who understands the particular context, how prepared my family are for it to take place, whether everyone is completely convinced I am really dead etc, to make the final call whether it's OK or not. After all, my family are the ones who will be upset after my death, not me. I hope they will be able to let another use my organs, but if they are not comfortable with that, then their decision should be final.

I find it incredible that on MN people constantly hammer home the reality that it is always your body, your choice and yet as soon as you’re dead people are happy to pass that choice over to the state..

Any opt out system will be a soft opt out as it is, and it is ultimately down to the next of kin to make the final decision, regardless of whether you opt in or out. The importance of talking about opt out is that it means people will hopefully have the conversations with their families

I have had the conversation with my family and my wishes are known. But it is they who know me, and they who will need to live with the decision after I am gone. I’ll be dead, and I am happy for my organs to be donated, but I am not happy to have my body become the property of the state

And I am also likely to need an organ in the future, however, while I am happy to donate, I will be opting out, and the state will need to have the conversation with my next of kin.

Nobody, NOBODY has a 'right' to take anyone else's body parts. I don't agree with this at all. In commoditising parts of the human body we are dehumanising people and reducing people to the value of their bits.

We should just grow these body parts in the lab and and then transpose them onto people's bodies.

By all means have an opt-in process but I don't agree with opt-out. I cannot be a donor as I'm a cancer patient.

Would I accept a body part if it would save my life? Yes, if it was given willingly. If I were exempted from receiving a body part because of my refusal to donate would I change my mind? No. I'm not particularly religious but I would like my body to go to wherever intact.

Would I agree to body parts from my DDs being donated? Yes, if it was clear that that was they wanted.

I don't think it's a simple issue and I don't think it should be simplified or that people should be vilified for not agreeing to donation. It's a personal - and in some cases a religious - decision.