HOW THE NEW OPT-OUT LAW WORKS

ON May 20, the laws around organ donation changed to one of presumed consent.

All adults in England are now considered to have agreed to be an organ donor when they die, unless they opt out.

The new system – which does not apply to under 18s – gives hope to the 6,000 people whose lives hang in the balance on organ donor waiting lists. Each year, many hundreds die when a suitable organ cannot be found in time.

After your death, your organs will not automatically be taken – your family still have to consent before donation takes place, which is why it’s important to discuss your wishes with them.

It’s also still an option to opt in and sign the Organ Donor Register at the web address below. This allows you to specify if you want to donate only some of your organs.

You can amend your details or withdraw from the register at any time online or by calling the contact centre.

If you don’t want to donate, you can register your decision online, on the NHS Organ Donor Register (organdonation.nhs. uk/register-your-decision/). Or you can call its contact centre on 0300 123 23 23.