Opt-out organ donation system to be introduced in Ireland this week

A new law will make everyone in Ireland an organ donor unless they opt out

The new law means it will be assumed that a person wants to donate their organs when they die unless they have objected during their lifetime.

The major change will roll out from June 17th, Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, has confirmed.

She stated:

"In commencing this part of the Act, we are providing, for the first time, a national legislative framework for donation and transplantation services in Ireland.

"The legislation introduces a soft opt-out system of consent for organ donation, meaning that when a person dies, it is presumed that they would wish to donate their organs after their death unless they have objected to donation.

"This is a significant moment for healthcare in Ireland, and respecting potential donors' wishes will be fundamental to it. Family members will always be consulted before any action is taken.”

The HSE believes this new system will increase the donor pool of organs for over 600 people on the current transplant list.

Every year, hundreds of people in Ireland have their lives improved by organ donation.

When is organ donation possible?

According to the HSE, not many people die in a way that makes it possible to donate their organs.

Medical criteria and other conditions must be met before donating organs. A potential donor has to be in a hospital and maintained on a life support machine before they can become an organ donor.

A person’s organs can be donated after:

• brain stem death
• cardiac death

In both of these cases, there is no hope of recovery.

All organs donated reach the best-matched people in Ireland. If there is no suitable match in Ireland, they are used in the UK or other EU countries. This allows the donor to save as many lives as possible.

Those with medical conditions can still become organ donors, but this will be checked by a healthcare professional.

What if I don't want to be an organ donor?

If you wish to opt out of Ireland's organ donor system, then you can add your name to an opt-out register.

If you are on the opt-out register, your next of kin will not be asked about organ donation.