Donor ‘opt in’ becomes law

A NEW law under which all adults in England will now be deemed as potential organ donors after they die – unless they record a decision not to donate, or are in one of the excluded categories – came into force last Wednesday (20).

The Organ Donation (Deemed Consent) Act, known as Max and Kiera’s law, is named after Keira Ball, who died aged nine in 2017, and Max Johnson, now aged 12, who was saved by her heart.

Health secretary Matt Hancock said: “Today we celebrate a milestone ... as we move to a new system of deemed consent in England which will mean hundred more lives could be transformed each year.”

In cases where an individual has not expressed a decision, specialist nurses will support families to make a decision, the NHS said.

“People ... will still have a choice... Families will still be consulted, and people’s faith, beliefs and culture will be respected,” said Anthony Clarkson, director, Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplantation, NHS Blood and Transplant.