NHS Lanarkshire has backed a new campaign highlighting what the forthcoming change in organ and tissue donation law means for people – and their choices.

From 26 March, Scotland will move to an opt out system of organ and tissue donation to help save and improve lives.

The change in law means that if people aged 16 and over have not recorded a decision about donation, they will be considered as a possible donor if they die in circumstances in which they could donate.

Everyone has a choice – to be a donor, or opt out of donation – and today Dr Jane Burns, medical director for NHS Lanarkshire, encouraged people to make that decision known by recording it on the NHS Organ Donor Register and making family aware of their decision.

Informing family is important, as under the new law, they will still be consulted to check what their loved ones latest views on donation were. This is to ensure donation doesn’t proceed where it is against the donor’s wishes.

Dr Jane Burns, medical director, NHS Lanarkshire, said: “Organ donation isn’t something that comes up in everyday conversation, but ahead of the law changing we’re encouraging people to make time to think about what they’d want to happen and share it.

“Your name will not be on the NHS Organ Donor Register until you record a decision. Everyone has a choice about whether or not they want to donate, and the best way to make it known is by recording it on the register and telling those close to you.”

A recent survey revealed almost two thirds (64 per cent) of people in Scotland were aware of the choices they have under the new law.

Of those aware, 70 per cent have decided to be a donor, eight per cent have decided to opt out, and one in five (22 per cent) haven’t decided yet, or don’t know whether they will be a donor, or opt out of donation when the law changes.

Public Health Minister Mairi Gougeon said: “Organ and tissue donation is a great act of generosity that can transform the life of a person on the transplant waiting list. Every opportunity for donation is precious, so we hope the forthcoming law change will prompt people to think about their donation decision, record it and, importantly, share it.

“Donation remains a personal decision and under the new law people will be able to choose if they want to be a donor or not. Whatever decision you make, it is important to discuss it with your family – they will still be consulted on your views and having that knowledge will make it easier for them to honour your decision on organ and tissue donation.”

For more about the law change, or to opt out, visit organdonationscotland.org or call 0300 303 2094.

ENDS

Note to editors:

The campaign will run on TV (VOD), radio and digital from 18 January 2021. You can view the advert here: https://youtu.be/vErKJFhT1Pc

All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 1,040 Scottish adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 29 October-2nd November 2020. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all Scottish adults (aged 16+).

• The Human Tissue (Authorisation) (Scotland) Act 2019 was passed in July 2019 and will come into effect on 26 March 2021.
• The 2019 Act amends the existing Human Tissue (Scotland) Act 2006 by introducing a new, additional authorisation called ‘deemed authorisation’. This means that donation may proceed where adults over the age of 16 were not known to have any objection to donation.
• The law will include protections for:
  • adults without capacity to understand deemed authorisation and take the necessary action;
  • adults resident in Scotland for less than 12 months before their death;
  • children under 16 who will not be subject to deemed authorisation and will only be able to donate if they, or someone on their behalf, explicitly authorises it.
• It will add to the package of measures already in place in Scotland which have led to significant increases in donation and transplantation over the last decade.
• The move to an opt out system of organ and tissue donation does not mean people are automatically put on the NHS Organ Donor Register. An individual’s name will not be on the register until they record a decision.
• Only around one per cent of people die in circumstances that make organ donation possible.
• In Scotland, there are an average of around 500 people waiting on an organ transplant at any one time.
• Organ Donation Scotland is a Scottish Government campaign, focused on raising awareness of all aspects of donation and transplantation. People can register their donation decision via the campaign website organdonationscotland.org at any time.