'Opt out' organ donation on the way

Friday 05 October 2018

With thousands of people waiting for critical operations across the British Isles, Guernsey is formally making a move towards an 'opt out' system of organ donation.

The Committee for Health and Social Care wants the States to back its plans, saying it would be a symbolic move which would raise positive awareness of organ donation, even if it is unlikely to lead to a large increase in donations locally.

HSC said moving to the ‘soft’ opt out or deemed consent model for organ donation is unlikely to lead to a marked increase in donations because of the small size of Guernsey’s population and the limited circumstances when donation is potentially possible, but "by symbolically moving the default position the proposals will reinforce the positive view of organ donation and may increase the likelihood of organ donation when the situation arises."

Pictured: Deputy Heidi Soulsby.

Deputy Heidi Soulsby, President of HSC, said Guernsey would be playing its part in saving lives nationally if it changed its rules on organ donation.

"As I said at the time the consultation exercise was launched, the gift of an organ is very precious. Less than one percent of people die in circumstances where they are able to donate their organs. This is one reason why there is a waiting list for those needing a transplant. There are currently over 6000 people waiting for an organ across the British Isles, many of whom will die waiting."

Under the proposed scheme to be established through legislation, subject to the appropriate safeguards and exemptions, HSC would want people to be deemed to consent to donating their organs unless they actively opt out. HSC said this will assist the majority of people who are happy to donate their organs and tissues when they die while at the same time respecting the decisions of those who do not wish to donate.

Pictured: Ollie Power previously backed the suggestion of an opt out organ donation scheme after his sister donated a kidney to him which improved his quality of life. 

Currently, Guernsey has an 'opt-in' system for organ donation meaning people who would like to donate in the event of their death need to make their wishes clear. HSC thinks there are many people who believe in organ donation but aren't on the Organ Donor Register.

HSC held a public consultation on organ donation earlier in the year and found people do support the idea of an opt out system, including Ollie Power who received a kidney from his sister Krystal in 2014, which he said changed his life. 

"I now live a normal life. I can't really do any competitive sports and I take medication twice a day, but my life has improved so much more now I have had a transplant," he said. 

Pictured: HSC's plans for organ donation will make it more likely suitable organs can be transplanted, but there will still be strict conditions. 

The States will get to decide on HSC's plans for organ donation later this year or early in 2019, with Guernsey likely to follow Wales and Scotland which already have deemed consent.

Organ donation will continue to be managed through the NHS which maintains a national transplant waiting list for jurisdictions within the British Isles to maximise the chances of a successful donation and transplant. 

Pictured: Organ donation rules are likely to change in Guernsey following plans released by HSC.