‘It’s time to turn awareness into action’
Organ Donation Week runs between September 2 and 8 across the UK. Here, Mark Smith speaks to specialist nurse in organ donation Charlotte Goodwin on the changing landscape of organ donation in Wales
THIS week people across the UK will commemorate Organ Donation Week, recognising the generosity of donors and the incredible impact they have on transplant recipients’ lives.
It’s the perfect opportunity to highlight the heroic individuals involved in organ donation and transplantation, as well as an opportunity to educate people and inspire them to chose to become donors and register their decision.
Latest figures from NHS Blood and Transplant show that the consent rate in Wales has significantly improved over the last three years since an opt-out system was introduced, increasing from 58% in 2015 to 81% in 2019 – the highest in the UK.
Charlotte Goodwin is a specialist nurse in organ donation and says it is vitally important for people to register their decision online.
“I’ve been working in the organ donation team at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board for over four years. I’ve seen life before the opt-out legislation and compared to how it is now there has been substantial progress made.
“Last year there were more donors than ever before, which is all down to the incredible generosity of donors and their families not only consenting but also respecting their family member’s verbal decisions and the deemed consent.
“The latest statistics show that in the last year there were 216 organ transplants in Wales, an increase from 172 in 2014-15.
“The increase in consent rates show that not only is the soft opt-out system paving the way for organ donation in Wales, but there is clearly more awareness among the general public of the benefits and the impact it can have on someone’s life. Now is the time to turn that awareness into action.
“Human beings like to be in control, and registering as an organ donor is one
way to help ensure that what could maybe save lives is not left to chance.”
In 2015, Wales became the first country in the UK to introduce a soft opt-out system, meaning that everyone over 18 years old who has not registered a decision is treated as having no objection to donating their organs if they die.
Four years on, this pioneering move has prompted a change in organ donation legislation in both England and Scotland.
From spring 2020 in England and autumn 2020 in Scotland respectively, all adults will be considered as having agreed to donate their own organs when they die unless they record a decision not to donate.
Charlotte said: “The soft opt-out system has on the whole been a hugely positive change and it’s invigorating to see other UK countries following our lead.
“However there’s still a misconception that the change in law means that people will automatically become organ donors if they die whether they’ve registered or not. This is not the case – in fact, it’s far from it.
“Even if you are a registered donor, your family will be asked whether they are aware of your latest known decision to ensure that it is honoured.
“This is why it is so important that you talk to them about your choice.
“If your family don’t know your organ donation decision, they’re far less likely to support it.”
New stats from NHSBT released earlier this year show that in Wales, since 2015, of the 249 cases where the patient had expressed their consent, there were still 23 occasions where the family went on to override expressed consent.
Charlotte continued: “Family refusals remain the main reason for organ donation not going ahead and in the few cases I’ve experienced it’s because the decision to donate has never been discussed causing an element of uncertainty – which can be difficult to remember in these heart-breaking situations.
“Every year approximately 24 people die in Wales whilst waiting for an organ transplant because a donor could not be found, but amazingly, just one organ donor can transform up to nine lives.
“There are loads of ways to register your decision on the NHS Organ Donor Register – there’s online, via the DVLA or at GP registration.
“But, it’s so important to remember that whatever you decide, make sure you tell your friends and family so they can support your decision.
“As we reach our four-year anniversary since the opt-out legislation, I think Wales should be incredibly proud of what has been achieved to date. We now have the opportunity to support the rest of the UK as they move to opt-out systems of organ donation.”
As of April 2019, there are still 223 people waiting on the organ transplant list in Wales.
If you want to donate your organs, it’s important to make a decision, register it by calling 0300 123 23 23 or visiting https://beta.gov.wales/talk-about-organdonation-campaign and have the organ donation chat with your loved ones.