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Heartbeat: Organ and tissue donation law is changing
Guest writer, Dr Niroshini Karunasekara has given us an insight into the upcoming changes in the law around organ and tissue donation.
In what is shaping up to be an unprecedented year for our NHS, there is a concern that the imminent introduction of the donor opt-out system in England may be overshadowed.
The Organ Donation Act 2019 was passed by Parliament resulting in the planned implementation of an opt-out system. The change in the legislation applies to both organ and tissue donation. In real terms, it means that all patients will be considered to have consented to donation unless otherwise stated.
When discussing this topic, it is important to distinguish between organ donation and tissue donation. Organ donation has strict criteria regarding who is eligible to donate and deals with organs such as lungs, heart, liver, kidneys, pancreas and small bowel.
Tissue donation, on the other hand, includes heart valves, corneas, skin, bone and tendons and almost everyone is considered suitable.
Although incorporated within the act, the subject of tissue donation will still need to be broached by medical professionals for the patient’s information to be passed onto the National Referral Centre (NRC).
According to NRC data, tissue donation is a huge area that is still overlooked nationally. A reluctance to approach families near or after death means that many potential donors are missed, and tissues are not utilised. Unlike with organ donation, patients do not need to die in an emergency department or intensive care unit to donate tissue after death. Crucially, a donation must take place within 24 – 48 hours of death. This means introducing the topic early to a patient’s family is vital. This will help to maximise the number of tissue donations in the UK.
In 2011, NICE published guidelines aimed at improving donor identification and consent rates. Not only does this document recommend that all potential donors should be identified as early as possible, but also that donation should be considered as a usual part of end-of-life care.
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By Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS TrustGuest writer, Dr Niroshini Karunasekara has given us an insight into the upcoming changes in the law around organ and tissue donation.
In what is shaping up to be an unprecedented year for our NHS, there is a concern that the imminent introduction of the donor opt-out system in England may be overshadowed.
The Organ Donation Act 2019 was passed by Parliament resulting in the planned implementation of an opt-out system. The change in the legislation applies to both organ and tissue donation. In real terms, it means that all patients will be considered to have consented to donation unless otherwise stated.
When discussing this topic, it is important to distinguish between organ donation and tissue donation. Organ donation has strict criteria regarding who is eligible to donate and deals with organs such as lungs, heart, liver, kidneys, pancreas and small bowel.
Tissue donation, on the other hand, includes heart valves, corneas, skin, bone and tendons and almost everyone is considered suitable.
Although incorporated within the act, the subject of tissue donation will still need to be broached by medical professionals for the patient’s information to be passed onto the National Referral Centre (NRC).
According to NRC data, tissue donation is a huge area that is still overlooked nationally. A reluctance to approach families near or after death means that many potential donors are missed, and tissues are not utilised. Unlike with organ donation, patients do not need to die in an emergency department or intensive care unit to donate tissue after death. Crucially, a donation must take place within 24 – 48 hours of death. This means introducing the topic early to a patient’s family is vital. This will help to maximise the number of tissue donations in the UK.
In 2011, NICE published guidelines aimed at improving donor identification and consent rates. Not only does this document recommend that all potential donors should be identified as early as possible, but also that donation should be considered as a usual part of end-of-life care.