Prime Minister Theresa May vows to ‘shift to opt-OUT organ donation system’ in England
DRASTIC changes to the organ donation system in England, signalled by Theresa May today, could save hundreds of lives every year.
The Prime Minister said 500 people died last year because a suitable donor organ wasn't available.
Speaking at the Tory party conference today, she hinted at a move to an opt-out system.
Currently in England people have to choose to donate their organs when they die.
But, in an opt-out system to opposite would become necessary - people would have to actively register their wish NOT to donate their organs.
The British Medical Association (BMA) said Mrs May's announcement had the potential to save many lives, while Kidney Care UK said it was a "momentous day".
Mrs May told the Tory party conference in Manchester: "Our ability to help people who need transplants is limited by the number of organ donors that come forward.
"That is why last year 500 people died because a suitable organ was not available.
"And there are 6,500 on the transplant list today.
"So to address this challenge that affects all communities in our country, we will change that system. Shifting the balance of presumption in favour of organ donation."
To address this challenge that affects all communities in our country, we will change that system. Shifting the balance of presumption in favour of organ donation
Theresa May
The Prime Minister highlighted the fact that members of black and minority ethnic communities had an increased risk of illnesses, including high blood pressure, that may lead to the need for an organ transplant.
BMA council chairman Dr Chaand Nagpaul said: "The decision to introduce an opt-out system for organ donation in England is excellent news.
"The BMA has lobbied and campaigned tirelessly on this for many years and has the potential to save many lives.
"It is important that the new process is well publicised to ensure the public are fully aware of and understand this important change.
"The health service must also have the resources, as well as facilities, to ensure transplant procedures can be performed when they are needed.
Fiona Loud, policy director at Kidney Care UK, said: "This is a truly momentous day for the 25,000 people in England on dialysis with kidney failure.
GIFT OF LIFE All you need to know about organ donation... how to register for a donor card and how to opt out
"One person dies every day while waiting for a kidney transplant and this change has the potential to be both life-saving and life changing."
Simon Gillespie, chief executive at the British Heart Foundation (BHF), said: “Across the UK there is a desperate shortage of organ donors, meaning people needlessly die as they wait for organs to become available.
“Introducing a soft-opt out system in England will mean that more people will get the life-saving transplant they desperately need.
“The Government’s commitment to a soft-opt out system is a commitment to ending the agonising pain felt by families who risk losing a loved one while they wait for a donor.
“This change can’t come soon enough for patients.”
Last month it emerged patients are missing out on life-saving transplants because families of suitable donors do not know if they would have consented.
The NHS revealed 177 families refused organ donation last year because they were unsure if the deceased relative would have agreed.
Days earlier, it emerged a schoolgirl saved a record eight people by choosing to donate her organs before being killed by a sudden brain haemorrhage.
Jemima Layzell died just days after telling her parents she wished to be an organ donor.
