Before the law changed on May 20th 2020 we actively highlighted the importance of registering on the Organ Donor list and sharing your wishes to donate your organs with family members.
Although Organ Donation is now regarded as an opt in scheme with all adults in England now considered to have agreed to be an organ donor when they die (unless they have recorded their decision not to donate or are in one of the excluded groups) it is still vital you share your wishes with family.
This will allow more people to save more lives including children with congenital heart problems who may require a heart transplant.
Organ Donation in the UK
Wales
The legislation for Wales is ‘deemed consent’. This means that if you haven’t registered an organ and tissue donation decision, you will be considered to have no objection to becoming a donor. Read more
Scotland
The legislation for Scotland is ‘deemed authorisation’. This means that if you have not confirmed whether you want to be a donor or not, you will be considered to be willing to donate your organs and tissue when you die. Read more
Northern Ireland
The current legislation for Northern Ireland is to opt in to organ and tissue donation. In 2020 the Department of Health in Northern Ireland announced a consultation on proposed changes to an opt out system of consent for organ donation. Read more
Heart to Heart
Have the ‘heart to heart’ conversation about your wishes for organ donation.
People across the country are being encouraged to have a ‘heart to heart’ as part of a new campaign to get people from Black and South Asian backgrounds talking about blood and organ donation.
The ‘Heart-to-Heart’ campaign was launched on 23rd March 2021 by NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) together with popular food brand, Tropical Sun – a leading importer of specialist ingredients and daily essentials for ethnic communities.
