Organ donation, opt in, or opt out?

[misdee]

opt out.

Read this with interst - I have an uncle who has had a heart transplant (1988) and a kidney transplant a few year later.

More general awareness/discussion/educations would help. Could it be discussed in schools? I have to say that I think opting out is the way to go - BUT with education along the way and then when people have all relevant info thay can decide if they want to make a concious decision not to for whatever reason.

My Mum donated her kidney to my brother 5 years and currently both are fine. One of our closest friends has a failing kidney and in time will be on the transplant list. I believe that a system should be put in place where everyone is donor unless they opt out. If you have strong preferences for not donating, which is totally fine and up to the individual, then its more likely they will take the time to inform the register. Perhaps you could automatically go on the register when you are are 18 so that up until then parents have a say.

Ohhh, fio, only just saw this - sorry I got that wrong too (could you do me a detailed biography please, including Margate? )

Did it get you a few more years with her though? [hopeful]

opt out, and just the say so of donor as long as over 18. i think you should be able to choose parts, but TBH Dh says not eyes but I would give them anyway- he doesn't believe in an afterlife anyway, so by his theories he'll never know! Besides it's just the cornea.

you can already choose what u wish to donate anyway.

But I'm biased, six year old cousin died waiting for a heart transplant, he got MRSA from one of the many 'interim' ops he had to have.

peachyclair, i'm sorry

Thanks Misdee, I know you'll understand what his aprents went through. It was in March, very sad indeed.

thats awful. i really wish there was a good alturnatives to transplants but there isnt. once they have tried everything else, thats it really.

send them my love. hope time makes things easier.

Definately opt out. There are many more people happy to donate that have not got round to it than there are people who are against it. If they are that bothered they will soon make sure their wishes are known.
I think it should be attached to your medical record as this is usually pulled up if you go into hospital. Doc could have you sign a form & register your wishes - not many people will go without some form of GP appt/hospital/family planning/prescription within the next 12 months - it could be up & running quite quickly.

"not many people will go without some form of GP appt/hospital/family planning/prescription within the next 12 months"

You reckon?? I reckong there'll be plenty - and it'll be the same groups of people who probably wouldn't learn that they'd have to 'opt-out" of the donor register.

Exactly, QofQ.

If we can't use electoral I am not sure of a better way (without it being prohibitively expensive) Obviously implementing 'opt-out' with say, a 1 year notice period could give people plenty of time... If they can't sort it out before then they can't be all that fussed?

When we registered with our GP, we had to fill in a form stating whether we wished to go on the donor register. We ticked yes, of course. I thought that was a great idea as although we WERE on it anyway, I probably would not have remembered to notify them of a change of region. In fact, I think I was on it under my maiden name!

There are loads of ways a mailing can take place if the Government really wanted to- a form with CTC forms / benefits / pensions / IR forms; with Dr registrations; DVLA notifications. Most people would be hit by one of these at least.

opt out