Organ donors could rise ‘by up to 30 per cent’
An NHS Donor Card.
UK organ donor numbers could rise by up to 30 per cent if a system of ‘presumed consent’ is introduced, according to research. *
The controversial system would mean that every person in the UK would be automatically added to the NHS Organ Donor Register and would have to specifically ‘opt out’ of donating their organs if it was against their wishes.
The research, carried out at the Centre for Reviews and Dissemination (CRD), assessed organ donation rates in countries that already have the presumed consent system in place.
By studying donation figures before and after the system was introduced, CRD’s research showed a significant link between presumed consent and rising organ donation rates - with increases as big as 25-30 per cent in some cases.
This announcement comes just months after the Department of Health backed down on the issue, having concluded that the system would not improve donation rates in the UK. **
The current system requires anyone wishing to donate their organs after death to join the NHS Organ Donor Register and carry a Donor Card.
There are now a record 16 million people on the organ donor register in the UK but the gap between supply and demand for organs is still increasing. ***
In 2008, 28,000 people added their names to the Organ Donor Register thanks to the Gift of Life Campaign run in partnership with The Sheffield Star newspaper.
The campaign was part of last year’s hugely successful 31st Westfield Health British Transplant Games, held in Sheffield.
To find out more about the British Transplant Games and to join the NHS Organ Donor Register, please visit: www.transplantsport.org.uk
** http://www.healthcarerepublic.com/news/GP/862463/DoH-backs-down-presumed-consent-organ-donation/
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