The Donation of your Organs

No1Doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
15/10/2009 09:49

I assume that most of us are aware that in the UK there is a presumption that individuals have not given consent to the use of their organs for transplant after their death. However, Individuals can ‘opt in’ to becoming donors by signing the NHS organ donor register.

In some other European countries including France, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Italy, Sweden, Norway and Spain, there is an ‘opt-out’ system where individuals are presumed to have consented to have their organs used for transplant unless they specifically object. This may have a significant impact on the total pool of potential donors – in Belgium, for example, only 3%-4% opt out of donation.



Should we move our organ donation registers from an opt-in to an opt-out system?

Lilli



Joined: 21/07/2008
Posts: 13081

Message Posted:
15/10/2009 09:54

Hi Bill they government toigether with the various organ donor charties have been trying to do this for some time. I wish they had a donor card and the facility to remove organs here also transplanation. The amount of road deaths here with the organs being buried with them. I know its for thier religion but it could save someones life.. It always amazes me that the people needing a heart, kidney etc transplant goes to greek side or Turkey xx

No1Doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
15/10/2009 10:04

I agree Lilli. I'm all in favour of a system that automatically 'opt's me in' at say age 18. I can then make a decision as to whether I want to opt out or not.

smithy


Joined: 17/07/2008
Posts: 5301

Message Posted:
15/10/2009 10:11

I agree, it would be a great idea I'm all for opt in, then you all have a choice whether to opt out, please god you stay in, if it saves one life it will be worth it.

billyboy1


Joined: 01/06/2009
Posts: 590

Message Posted:
15/10/2009 10:15

Opt in for me....i have carried a donor card since the age of 18 and all my family are aware of my wishes..

If i can help someone when i have passed away,then thats good

Lilli



Joined: 21/07/2008
Posts: 13081

Message Posted:
15/10/2009 10:17

Hi Billyboy your relatives may be aware of your wishes but sadly not all relatives go along with them. Its very difficult in times of distress.Transplant co-ordinators have a very difficult job. xx

No1Doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
15/10/2009 10:34

Lilli. If you carry a donor card can your relatives still refuse your organs to be removed?

nurseawful



Joined: 06/02/2009
Posts: 5934

Message Posted:
15/10/2009 13:19

Hi Bill,

Yes unfortunately this is the case in the UK. If the relatives refuse our hands are tied even though the deceased has the card on them. Very distressing for the family and very embarrassing for the professionals who have to try and explain to them that this was the deceased's wishes

Chris

wackyjim



Joined: 04/06/2007
Posts: 760

Message Posted:
15/10/2009 13:29

Lilli... msg2



I agree with you...but the way things are in NC can't see it happening, your more likely to end up in Mr Chuns

scoobydoo


Joined: 10/11/2008
Posts: 2434

Message Posted:
15/10/2009 13:37

In UK a few years back there was a petition going around asking whether you would agree to a system that automatically has you listed for organ transplants unless you 'opted out'. I, for one, signed up as I have known someone who, in my mind, died unneccessarily due to lack of organs available and she was only 24 yrs old. A very sad time for all of us and such a young age to die.



What use are organs when you either;



a) are cremated

b) 6 feet under



Everyone I know is well aware of my wishes and I can only hope and trust that they follow them when I die.

No1Doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
15/10/2009 16:04

scoobydoo. Thats a sad story, and a perfect reason to make it an 'opt in' to donate.

Lilli



Joined: 21/07/2008
Posts: 13081

Message Posted:
15/10/2009 16:09

Hiya Bill Nurse answered the question for me. Sad but true that is why many larger hospitale have transplant co orinators in place.Bill is it true do you know not sure if it was 27,000 or 27 per cent of the population only signed onto the register.I wonder if this is because of the ethnic minority groups etc who do not allow the body to not be intact. xx Is seems a very low figure. x

No1Doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
15/10/2009 16:14

It does seem very low. I'll check it out Lilli.

Brinsley


Joined: 04/04/2009
Posts: 6858

Message Posted:
15/10/2009 16:23

It was my Fathers wish, known to all members of our family that on death (aged 89) his body would be used for medical science and research. The NHS, Southmead Hospital, Bristol didn't want to know saying he wasn't alive to give consent!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Work that one out!



Richard

daisy dukes


Joined: 06/09/2008
Posts: 3815

Message Posted:
15/10/2009 16:31

I would sell a kidney for 30k...i believe thats the going rate!! :0



DD

Brinsley


Joined: 04/04/2009
Posts: 6858

Message Posted:
15/10/2009 16:38

DD



Please may I have a price for a ' total job lot' open ended life span with all needs catered for!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Richard

ROBnJO


Joined: 30/06/2008
Posts: 1289

Message Posted:
15/10/2009 16:49

It would be interesting to know if countries who have had 'opt-out' for a while, actually have higher rates of donor transplants and shorter waiting lists.

scoobydoo


Joined: 10/11/2008
Posts: 2434

Message Posted:
15/10/2009 23:06

No 1, msg 11: I totally agree with you.



'Opting out' should be the only alternative!

Lilli



Joined: 21/07/2008
Posts: 13081

Message Posted:
16/10/2009 00:33

RobnJo I have a vested interest, The foundation I worked for lobbied long and hard to get this done. Within the 27 charties involved called TIME transplant in mind we did it hence the donor card. It did not end there I had the forsight to include it on the driving licence.This has saved many lives still so much to be done. Units are opening up everywhere.This is mainly to the drugs companies that open the units. Sorry Im speaking about Kidneys. My role was to over see the machines etc you know most of the patients were of asian desend.I have never seen so many children on Dyialysis as asian kids. It brook my heart knowning they were muslim and could not give but coulf=d receive. Anyway Im proud to be one of the originators of the DONOR CARD. sorry all over xxxxx