Health Minister Robin Swann has described the response to the recent consultation on statutory opt-out for organ donation as tremendously encouraging.
Almost 2,000 written responses were received to the consultation and eight virtual engagement events were held during the 10 week consultation which ran from December to February.
The purpose of the consultation was to seek the public’s views on how to introduce a soft opt-out organ donation system for Northern Ireland. This would require new legislation to change the current system here, from opt-in to opt-out, with the aim of making more life-saving organs available for transplantation.
Minister Swann said: “There has been a tremendous response to the consultation process and I would like to thank each and every organisation and individual who have taken the time to let us know how they feel about this vitally important issue.
“Their views will help inform the proposed change to legislation which I believe will be more truly representative of our population’s altruism and willingness to donate their organs and tissues after death.
“The views expressed in the consultation will inform the development of a draft Bill for consideration by the Northern Ireland Assembly, in order to enshrine the proposed changes in law. Once we have completed our consultation analysis in the weeks ahead, the first step will be to secure the approval of the Executive to introduce the draft Bill. Subject to the views of the Assembly and Health Committee this process should take us up to summer 2022, however I want to join those who have long campaigned for these changes in welcoming the completion of this important first step of the journey. ”
One donor has the potential to save up to 9 lives, and in 2019/20 in Northern Ireland there were 51 deceased donors and 89 life-saving and life transforming transplants from deceased donors for Northern Ireland residents. However there are still 115 people in Northern Ireland on the waiting list and last year 11 people in Northern Ireland died while awaiting an organ transplant.
Currently in Northern Ireland donation will only ever proceed if a person had given their express consent for organ donation, usually by signing on to the NHS Organ Donor Register and/or speaking to their family. In the absence of this, the family is asked to make a decision on behalf of the patient.
Under the proposed opt-out legislation, it is considered that everyone would be willing to donate their organs unless they have formally opted out. The family would continue to be consulted about donation as well as considerations around faith and beliefs. This will not change.
Over 90% of the population in Northern Ireland supports organ donation but only 48% have recorded this decision on the NHS Organ Donor Register.