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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:
Baffy · 19/10/2007 16:45

definitely agree with opt out

you still have the choice

have a transition period so people get used to it. but definitely agree.

Original poster
eleusis · 19/10/2007 16:45

I have a question for you stats experts. Do dying people who have not signed a donor card often have their usable organs go to waste? I'm wondering if the organs are usually put to good use anyway by the doctors talking to the family and getting permission.

I do see that the intention here is just to save lives. But I'm still about weary about taking people's organs without their permission.

OP posts:
Baffy · 19/10/2007 16:47

blu you have some good points there

but that could also be turned around to fit opt-out: where your gp could talk it through with you in order to 'double check' in a way that you consent - that way the 'excuse' of forgetting to opt-out or 'not getting round to it' would be much less of an issue

Baffy · 19/10/2007 16:51

didn't really mean 'excuse' there, was trying to think of the best way to say it, I meant GP chat in the case of opt-out, could reduce the chances of families being distressed due to loved ones forgetting or not getting round to opting out

LadyVictoriaOfCake · 19/10/2007 16:51

some docs wont approach a family and ask for organs to be used, so some organs do go to waste sadly.

dh was once on hold for a heart, so to speak, they were waiting confirmation from the family if it wuld proceed. sadly it didnt go ahead as the family refused permission.

so many lives are lost thrpugh lack of donors, i dont think opt out would take away peoples consent to donate, but it would nudge those who feel strongly against it to opt out, wheras the situation is at it stands today, soemthing that will be done tomorrow. i know i persoanlyl put it off for many years even though i am all for organ doantion.

LadyMuck · 19/10/2007 16:55

I'm not convinced that the change to opt-out would actually be as significant as you might think. Spain's statistics are often used to support that a change to the system would lead to an increase in donors, but Spains road traffic accident deaths are far higher than those of the UK (and RTAs are the largest source of donors).

To say that someone is dead and therefore doesn't need the organs is far too simplistic as the decision over donation must be made when the heart is still beating. That is why we need skilled teams to be able to approach the NOK.

Fundamentally I don't think that the poor administration by the NHS and related bodies justifies a huge change to our rights over our bodies. Today the issue is whether the living have a greater right to those organs than anyone else. The next step would be whether all bodies should be available for medical experiments, and the extreme would be cannibalism.

There is so much more that could be done to strngthen the present system - on many occasions the current organ register isn't even checked. There are numerous possibilities to ask someone to sign-up - eg every time someone registers at a GP, or turns up at a hospital, or applies for a passport etc. If it is apparently so difficult for potential donors to register now how do you envisage it will be made easier for people to opt-out later.

LadyVictoriaOfCake · 19/10/2007 16:59

its not differcult at all to register for organ donation. its just soemthign that does get put off as not something that is urgent to do this minuite.

its very easy to sign up.

you can go to uktransplant to sign up online

call on 0845 60 60 400
Open 24 hours

they are currently doing a mass lettbox drop in london as well www.uktransplant.org.uk/ukt/newsroom/news_releases/article.jsp?releaseId=187

Saggarmakersbottomknocker · 19/10/2007 17:01

It's not that it's difficult - it's just something people don't see as 'urgent' and therefore put it off for another day.

BreeVanDerCampLGJ · 19/10/2007 17:03

We did it recently and it only took minutes.

My Dad had his bladder removed two weeks ago, the ward was next to the transplant ward. They had great stickers all over the ward that said....

Don't take your organs to Heaven.
Heaven knows we need them down here.

LadyVictoriaOfCake · 19/10/2007 17:04

i saw that on a car at harefield bree. made me smile and also feel sad, because at the time things were looking very bleak for Peter.

btw, channel 5 news, should be on on tuesday. if i dont go on holiday instead lol.

FlameBat · 19/10/2007 17:05

Opt out all the way here - but it needs to be massively publicised so that people are aware that they must opt out

BreeVanDerCampLGJ · 19/10/2007 17:06

How is our pink Peter doing ?? I catch your blog when I have time.

LadyVictoriaOfCake · 19/10/2007 17:07

he is doi9ng well.

hunting for hat and gloves in case we do go tomrorow.

i am wearing my hat, kids keep opening the back door, i am freezing.

LadyMuck · 19/10/2007 17:07

Eleusis, my understanding of the law as it currently stands is that the NOK can be asked for permission to donate regardless fo whether the potential donor is on the register or not. But they are asked to consider what the potential donor's wishes would be. Hence the importance of the NOK knowing what the wishes are - either way. But I haven't had to look at the detail for a couple of years now.

BreeVanDerCampLGJ · 19/10/2007 17:08

Good news.

LadyVictoriaOfCake · 19/10/2007 17:08

NOK can only stop it now if they feel 'strongly' about it.

Califright · 19/10/2007 17:10

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Saggarmakersbottomknocker · 19/10/2007 17:10

I was looking at the stats today - can't find the page at the moment - but over an audited 3 year period there was something like 3300 deaths where NOK were approached, and 1300 refused permission.

That's a lot of potential transplants.

LadyVictoriaOfCake · 19/10/2007 17:14

no, thank you cali. it means a lot, it really does [goes to blub]

LadyVictoriaOfCake · 19/10/2007 17:16

page 2 sagger

toothicky · 19/10/2007 17:16

I'm sure that nearly all of us would accept an organ, either for ourselves or our dcs so we should be willing to give. I have had the conversation with my dd aged 11 about this, prompted by something in the news, and she was incredulous that anybody wouldn't donate organs, pointing out that she wouldn't need them when she is dead. I couldn't bear to think of a time that I might have to make this decision, but I know that it is what she would want and couldn't go back on that. I myself think they can have whatever they want as it is only going to get burnt or eaten by maggots.

Saggarmakersbottomknocker · 19/10/2007 17:18

Thanks LVOC - had just found it. There's a summary on the last page. 40% refusal rate by NOK.

LadyVictoriaOfCake · 19/10/2007 17:19

40% is sadly quite high

LadyMuck · 19/10/2007 17:19

Out of interest is there anyone on here who is in favour of "opt-out" who hasn't already "opted-in"?

LadyVictoriaOfCake · 19/10/2007 17:22

i registered quite a few years ago now.

dd's are as well.