Organ donation — why we need to talk more about it

Families don’t know if their loved ones wanted to donate’

A YEAR on from the change in law around organ donation in England, the Jewish Organ Donor Association (Joda UK) has joined NHS Blood and Transplant in a renewed plea for families to discuss organ donation, potentially increasing the number of people whose lives can be saved by a transplant, writes Barry Toberman.

Since last May, people in England have been considered willing to donate, unless they have opted out, instructed family that they do not wish to donate or are in an excluded group. Similar legislation was introduced in Wales in 2015 and Scotland also switched to an opt-out system in March.

According to a new Joda UK survey of more than 1,500 Jews, just over half (51 per cent) have discussed the issue with their next of kin.

Asked the reason which most applied for opting out of organ donation, 21 per cent responded that they had not got around to registering — or had not thought about it.

Eighty-six per cent were unaware of the option of completing a personal statement which takes account of Jewish beliefs.

The statement has been agreed between the Office of the Chief Rabbi, the Board of Deputies and NHS Blood and Transplant and is intended to reassure potential organ or tissue donors that processes can be put in place to ensure that donation proceeds in line with their faith.

“While most people agree that it is important to talk to their family about organ donation, our research shows it is less likely that they will have actually had this important conversation,” said Joda UK’s Dr Richard Schoub, a consultant in intensive care medicine and anaesthesia at Barnet Hospital, Royal Free London and clinical lead for organ donation at the Royal Free Trust.

“Even though the law around organ donation has changed, families will still be approached before organ donation goes ahead.

“Sadly, opportunities are lost each year because families don’t know if their loved one wanted to be a donor or not.”

Anthony Clarkson, director of organ and tissue donation and transplantation for NHSBT pointed out that with organ donation and transplantation both heavily impacted by the pandemic, it was more important than ever for families to have the conversation.

“Register your decision on the NHS Organ Donor Register and tell your family the choice you have made. If the time comes, we know families find the organ donation conversation much easier if they already know what their relative wanted.”