31 August 2006 - Changes In Organ Donation Law Give New HopeThe Human Tissue Act which comes into force on September 1st will mean relatives will no longer have the legal right to overturn a person's wish to donate his or her organs - giving new hope to the thousands of people waiting for a vital transplant. There are currently 1000 potential donors in Britain each year, but only 600 of them actually provide organs - usually because relatives are unsure of their wishes and refuse permission. More than 8,000 people in the UK are waiting for a transplant to save or dramatically improve their lives but fewer than 3,000 transplants are carried out each year due to the lack of organs. About 400 people die every year while on the waiting list. According to Chris Rudge, managing director of UK Transplant, the new legislation could mean many more people receiving a life-saving transplant with the donors' wishes being given priority. However, he added that “If the family or those close to the person who has died object to their donation, for whatever reason, healthcare professionals will discuss the matter sensitively with them and encourage them to fulfil the dead person’s wishes. We know that in most cases families will agree to donation if they know that was their loved one’s wish. There may, nevertheless, be circumstances where it would be inappropriate for donation to go ahead.” The act will also allow live donation from strangers, including 'altruistic' donation. You can sign up to the organ donation register by clicking here
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