Great news amon all the doom and gloom

Exactly Oopsminty! This opt out option could actually turn people off and make them against any sort of organ donation. Tragic whichever way you are looking at it.

Not sure about your link, jura2.

It is worth having conversations and when you're all sat around in rude health it's simple to agree to anything and everything.

Just don't be too harsh on people who are unable to see their warm relative being wheeled off to have organs harvested.

Not everyone can

I've also seen people whose family member has died being devastated that their organs can't be retrieved to help others.
Say they've died in a car crash and arrived DOA the organs are useless.

Lots of people don't understand that.

It's a lot harder when your loved one is lying 'breathing' (thanks to a machine) and warm to the touch.

I'd never say well if you ever need an organ don't come back.

We need empathy.

It's tragic that people die as a result of not receiving an organ but I don't want to go down the route of state harvesting either.

I believe this change - which I whole-heartedly support - has come about because a lot of people simply did not get around to registering as organ donors, although many of them would be in favour of donating, is that not so?

I must say it feels all wrong to me that rellatives can overrule someone's express wish to donate their organs, I think that's simply wrong, no matter how distressing the situation. I certainly think this should alleviate their distress at the death of a family member, it must be a terrible thing to have to decide.

youtu.be/NCsxHkwcCbs

simple enough, no?

As said, do add a note to say you refuse donations too- so donors can be prioritised. Only fair.

Organs will still go to waste under the opt out system but there’s evidence to show that it can increase the number of donations and can reduce the numbers of families who refuse.

It’s obviously very emotive, but definitely worth having conversations now with your family.

Honest family discussions are so important. My loved ones would not dare refuse- as they know my clear wishes. But people need to talk.

At my age, organ donation is no longer important for me. But it could be for one of my children or grandchildren. And I agree Calendargirl- for anyone losing a child or grandchild - knowign their awful loss has saved several other children- would somehow give the tragedy some 'sense'.

BTW- the current donation card does not give specific instructions as to which bit, or not- and re 'body remaining intact on outside' (why?). But yes, if you felt strongly that way- write it down and give it to your nearest and dearest, just in case. Simple enough.

It's very complicated. It's a heartbreaking time. Obviously the patient is on Life Support so to all intents and purposes looks 'alive'.

To be asked about organ donation can just be too much for some relatives. They are losing their adored loved one. They aren't thinking straight. They are grief stricken.

It's all very well to suggest they should donate in case they need to receive one day but life isn't that black and white.

I've seen cases where it's been impossible to harvest the organs due to the family. Even families who have discussed this with their relatives. For some it is just impossible.

Of course it's tragic that good organs go to waste but it's going to happen, whether it's opt in or out.

www.organdonation.nhs.uk/get-involved/news/families-saying-no-to-donation-results-in-missed-transplant-opportunities-for-uk-patients/

I signed up many years ago for organ donation. I don’t know what it says on the current leaflet.
I feel that when you’re dead, it really doesn’t matter what happens to any bits of you because they either rot in the ground or are burnt up.
If they can help others in any way, whether body parts, research, whatever, it must be for the good.
When you hear relatives of organ donors saying how it has given hope to several other sick people, it must make it all seem not such a waste.

I am on the organ donation register and think having to opt out is much better than relatives having to make the decision at a difficult time.

They will still ask the family. And the family will still be able to refuse. There's been many organs not harvested due to the family being unable to agree to the removal.

You have to be over 18 to be part of the opt out approach, so unless your DGC are children it won’t affect them. Young people tend to have very altruistic views on organ donation but it’s worth having a conversation about organ donation as a family if people haven’t already done so.

Much better to be the family having the conversation about donating than receiving.

Dont forget to opt out of receiving too, just to be fair.

Good point jura.

What if it is your AC or DGC that have their organs harvested because they hadn’t used the opt out?
Am hoping that before they did it, they would still ask the nearest relative for permission, but you never know.

I am on the organ donation register and think having to opt out is much better than relatives having to make the decision at a difficult time.

I have always told my family anyone can have anything of mine if it's still working!

Even when old, you can still give many body parts btw.

well yes, but pretty irrelevant to the general principles.

btw experimentation is massively important to finding new treatments and saving more lives, and so is tissue sampling.

Sadly 'the principle' or current system, is just not working. I am always amazed that couples, families, do not discuss how they feel about donation. Mine now how I feel, and have been asked to tell medical staff, before being asked- that I am a donor. But sadly, most people never discuss it. Taboo, fears, superstition, etc ...

Oh! That rules me out then by a long way.?

I may be mistaken but I was given to understand that when you reached a certain age (perhaps in your sixties) your organs wouldn't be needed as they prefer those from young people.

They can have whatever they like from me. I won’t need it anymore.

Hopefully my family will never need a donor but who knows what may happen in the future. Being prepared to let other people live a restricted life or die because you want to make a point of some kind is selfish. I presume you wouldn’t accept a transplant if you were ever in that position?

I worked on a dialysis unit and it would be great to think there would be a lot less need for them in the future.

Good point jura2. I’ve asked many people if they would refuse blood if they need it.
I don’t ask everyone by the way, only those who shudder and say things like- oh I don’t do needles!

No jura I don’t think that is what we are saying. Many people (myself included) are currently listed as organ donors but don’t want to sign up to take what you want and do what you want with it. Not all organ donation is for transplants to other people (the bit I agree with). Part of it is for experimentation, tissue sampling and general usage, which is what I’m not so keen on. I would like to have a body, reasonably intact on the outside to bury. It is what I want and is my body. I’m not saying I won’t agree to donation but I would like a say in what is taken and how it is used because it matters to me.

Not that anyone would want our old organs anyway.

Who said that they wouldn’t donate organs?
It’s the principle that’s wrong.

I wonder how many of those who disagree, have sat with loved ones, watching them die through lack of donors.

so you can opt out- simple enough.

Dont forget to opt out of receiving too, just to be fair.

I agree jura - this will free up so many organs and save so many lives at a point when relatives shouldn’t be having to try and remember or imagine if their loved one wanted to donate. If I change my mind and decide I feel strongly about opting out at any point then I’ll do what I did when I decided I wanted to donate my organs and take that proactive step to note my choice.