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Original poster

Do you back opt-out organ donation>

136 replies

eleusis · 19/10/2007 09:44

news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7051235.stm

I'm not sure how I feel about this. I appreciate they are trying to save lives and that is of course a good thing. But, I think people should have to give consent for their organs to be removed, not consent to have them left in tact. There's just something creepy out thinking my organs will be taken away the second I am pronouncec dead. But, if you asked me if I'd be willing to donate my organs when I die I'd say yes of course. I guess I just want to choice to be mine (or my next of kin).

OP posts:

Saggarmakersbottomknocker · 19/10/2007 13:54

I'm not sure that would happen fawke. I think the parent would still have to consent to donation of a child's organs.

coleyboy · 19/10/2007 13:54

Hi Saggar - ds is back in PICU at the moment as he had an op to fix a bile leak. The leak has been fixed, but some of the bile that remained inside him was infected so he was sceptic by the time he got back from theatre.

On the bright side, he is on minimal ventilation and the sepsis is under control. His blood test results have improved today, so we think he may have turned a corner. Before the op we were out and about with him, and he stayed with us overnight for 3 nights - it was utter bliss.

As for the liver, time will tell.

Hope your dd is well?

coleyboy · 19/10/2007 13:55

Septic, not sceptic - doah!!!

Saggarmakersbottomknocker · 19/10/2007 13:57

A bit rollercoaster then coleyboy. Hope there's no more backward steps.

dd fine, if a bit tired, and back at school

RibenaBerry · 19/10/2007 14:04

It's a difficult decision but, on balance I think I back an opt-out system.

The benefit I can see of an opt in system is that if your relative has opted in, you KNOW that donation is what they want.

But that is surely cancelled out by those who just never think about it and whose families feel (understandably) that donating is just too big a thing to think about at the time of the death.

I am opted in and have carried a donor card since I was 12. I have told DH that if anything happens to me and he doesn't donate my bits and pieces if it's possible, I will come back and haunt him. I then had to clarify that that would NOT be nice friendly haunting (like Casper), it would be mean revenge haunting.

MrsArchieTheInventor · 19/10/2007 14:48

In response to misunderstandings about whether George Best received his liver transplant because he was a private patient, I can categorically say that he didn't. Organ transplantation is based on clinical need, suitability and compatibility, not what hospital you are in or whether you can afford to pay for private healthcare. He would have been treated exactly the same as my MIL and would have had regular blood tests to prove that he wasn't drinking for several months before even being considered for a transplant. Personal wealth has absolutely nothing to do with it. The transplant list is the transplant list and it applies to both private and NHS patients.

coleyboy · 19/10/2007 14:50

Saggar - am so glad to hear your dd is better.

NoNameToday · 19/10/2007 14:52

Thanks for that Mrs Archie, it's always better to have the facts than labour under a misapprehension.

3andnogore · 19/10/2007 14:58

Hm...tbh, I personally don't underrstand the problem people have...I mena, if you feel strongly about NOT wanting to give your organs, than you opt out, don't you...so, no one is taking anyhting you didn't give willingly (so to say)

TheQueenOfQuotes · 19/10/2007 15:11

"I mena, if you feel strongly about NOT wanting to give your organs, than you opt out, don't you..."

yes if you know about your right to opt-out - there are is a % of the population who I think it would be very difficult to make sure they knew that they were automatically "opted in". Sadly not everyone has the same ability to get information or understand it.

3andnogore · 19/10/2007 15:50

surely there are ways to get this information across to everyone.......

primigravida · 19/10/2007 15:50

Even sadder still is people dying while waiting for transplants IMHO.

mygirllollipop · 19/10/2007 15:52

I like the opt-out, you still have the choice.

TheQueenOfQuotes · 19/10/2007 16:11

It's estimated that up to 12 million adults in the UK have literacy skills expected of a primary school child.

LadyVictoriaOfCake · 19/10/2007 16:18

i dont really need to say on here why i back opt out do i?

I think it should be opt out, but there should be a transistion period untill it becomes the norm to everyone.

i could trot out al lthe stats from uktransplant again, about how 90%of the population support organ donation but only 22% are registered. (oops just did) but am feelign a bit tired.

trying to deicde whther ot not to go on holiday tomorrow, with dh and his lvoely new heart.

3andnogore · 19/10/2007 16:18

reading is not the only way to tell people, there is radio, tv, or hp's sitting down with their patients and explaining, and other ways to get this message across....

Saggarmakersbottomknocker · 19/10/2007 16:30

I did the stats thing LVOC

Go on holiday!

LadyVictoriaOfCake · 19/10/2007 16:31

i am scared too sagger lol.

seems weird that we can actually go if we want to.

PeachyFleshCrawlingWithBugs · 19/10/2007 16:32

Totally back the idea, opting in is something one could easily put off.... if you feel strongly enough to opt out then you will do it.

And if you opt out you can't recieve either.

PeachyFleshCrawlingWithBugs · 19/10/2007 16:33

LVOC

go go go!

dustystar · 19/10/2007 16:35

I have thought this should be the system for years. Like peachy says if you feel strongly about it you will opt out but lots of people don't think about opting in - or they do but think "i'll do it tomorrow"

PeachyFleshCrawlingWithBugs · 19/10/2007 16:36

(should declare interest- 6 year old cousin died on waiting list)

opt out

MrsArchieTheInventor · 19/10/2007 16:38

Here's the website if anybody is thinking about doing it tomorrow

Blu · 19/10/2007 16:41

Philosophically i agree with 'opt out' - however I think it would inevitably lead to lots of distress amongst relatives saying 'oh s/he meant to but hadn't got round to it' and being v v distressed and not able to cope with the idea in the distress of the moment. And in truth, as QoQ says, many many people would be donors by default rather than by consent, and she is right, they would be the ones who are already the least empowered to make decisions.

Opt in is more powerful and gives the relatives the nudge that yes, it was wanted by their loved one, so they would feel more positive about it.

I think that it is something the could perhaps be included in visits to GP surgeries - if you haven't opted in, your GP asks you if you would like to and issues the card for signing there and then and it goes on your medical notes that you are a potential donor.

PeachesMcLean · 19/10/2007 16:43

In case anyone's counting:

Yes, I'd absolutely back opt out.

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