New organ donor law ‘to save lives’

A NEW organ donation system which will aim to tackle donor shortages could save up to 700 more lives each year.

The plan shifts the balance of presumption in favour of organ donation, with an opt out for those who do not wish to take part, the Department of Health and Social Care said.

The changes will be known as Max’s Law after Max Johnson, a 10-year-old boy who was saved by a heart transplant.

Would-be donors now must indicate their intentions on the NHS Organ Donor Register, or families must make the decision if their wish is unknown.

While research shows that 82 per cent of people in England support organ donation, only 37 per cent have indicated so on the register. And fewer than half of families give consent for their loved one’s organs to be donated.

The proposed law will aim to close this gap, and is expected to be rolled out by the Government in the spring of 2020.

Jackie Doyle-Price, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Mental Health and Inequalities, said: “Organ donation saves lives. We believe that by making these changes, we can save as many as 700 more lives every year.

“But organ donation remains a gift. I want to encourage people who wish to give life in the event of their death to take the time to record their wishes and discuss it with their family. However, we know this new system alone is not a magic bullet.

“We need to address myths and misconceptions around donation, and we will only do this by having informed debate and dialogue, which I hope will be fostered by these proposals.”

Under-18s, people with limited mental capacity and others who have not lived in England for at least a year prior to their death will be exempt from the scheme.