The law around organ donation in England is changing and people living on the Isle of Wight are being urged to get ready by taking a moment to think about organ donation.
From Spring 2020, all adults in England will be considered to have agreed to be an organ donor when they die, unless they had recorded a decision not to donate or are in one of the excluded groups.
As part of Dying Matters Awareness Week (13th-19th May), Islanders are being encouraged to make their organ donation decision and share that decision with family and friends.
Anthony Clarkson, Director of Organ Donation and Transplantation for NHS Blood and Transplant, says:
“We’re asking people to get ready for the change. Those covered by the new law will still have a choice about whether they want to be an organ donor – you can opt in or opt out. Your family will always be involved to ensure any recorded decision reflects your last known decision so please talk to them.
“Organ donation is and will always be, a precious gift and one donor can save or transform the lives of up to nine people and help many more people if they also donate tissue”.
Have you decided whether you want to be a lifesaving organ donor? Have you told your family? If you haven’t already, make your choice, register it on the NHS Organ Donor Register and tell your family.
To find out more, and to register your organ donation decision, visit www.organdonation.nhs.uk. If you can’t find the answer to any questions you may have on the website, call 0300 303 2094.
