Health: With Organ Donation, England is Lagging Behind

The Government has announced it will consider making England one of the growing number of “opt-out” organ donation countries, following a lead set by Scotland in June.

The real question is why such a move is merely a consideration rather than a certainty. Scotland and Wales are carrying England across the donation line and we have to level the playing field for everyone’s benefit by moving to an opt-out model, in which everyone is considered to be a donor unless they choose to opt-out from the system.

Wales Leads The Way

Wales became opt-out in December 2015 after Assembly Members voted 43-8 in favour of the change but the change hasn’t been without opposition.

Joyce Robins, a member of the campaign group Patient Concern, says the legislation would result in “human beings being treated like clapped-out cars”. It’s difficult to pinpoint whether she has no knowledge of cars, organ donation or perhaps both but we’re hoping she objects to surgery, prosthetics and piggyback rides on the same grounds.

Some religious figures also opposed the Bill despite the fact that most Christian leaders advocate organ donation. The CEO of the Christian Medical Fellowship Dr Peter Saunders called the move “unethical” as presumed consent “is neither voluntary nor informed”.

The Welsh Government spent millions publicising the new law to make sure all affected were aware of the change. They also created exceptions: anyone lacking the ability or capacity to understand the system doesn’t have assumed consent. This includes people with severe learning difficulties or those who have developed conditions like dementia that can affect understanding. You also have to live and die in Wales for consent to be assumed.

Scotland Does Well

Scotland will soon join Wales which is hardly surprising when you look at donation demographics. Scotland has the highest percentage of organ donors in the UK, with 41% of Scots signed up to donate – far above England’s 30%.

Organs don’t necessarily remain in the country where they’re harvested. The best match for a Glaswegian donor may be a London recipient. This means we all benefit from Scottish kindness while they suffer from our lack of care. Adopting an opt-out system would dramatically increase the pool of potential UK donors. Just 3% of Welsh people have opted out of donation since the change compared to the previous 68% who hadn’t opted in.

Of topical importance is a possible second Scottish referendum: it could be a blow not just to our hearts but to our kidneys, lungs and corneas too. If Scotland separated from the UK our biggest donors may well take their organs with them. Though there are cross-country schemes for international donations, Scotland may not find our 30% contribution worth sharing.

Despite the success of opt-out countries and the growing trend to join them, England is determined to dig its heels in. The UK Government rejected opt-out in 2008, deciding instead to focus on awareness and education. There’s no question that better information increases organ donor numbers but so does opting out. Opt-out also diminishes the stigma around organ donation for future generations.

It’s so obviously beneficial that only “considering” it is baffling. We have a shortage of donors but refuse the most obvious fix because some people are squeamish and scared to contemplate their own death.

Death and Dishonour

An opt-in system allows people to bury their heads in the sand and wait for someone else to deal with the problem, as their relatives will have to decide whether to donate organs.

Opt-out makes people face their own mortality and how altruistic they are. We like to consider ourselves as decent people but choosing to potentially accept someone else’s immeasurable gift while not offering our own puts our failings into sharp perspective.

The debate around opt-out hasn’t really helped as those against act as if it’s difficult to say no. People can very easily register to not be donors; Joyce Robins doesn’t have to end up like an old Ford Fiesta if she doesn’t want to. It takes a single phone call or a short online form. Many of us have managed to find the two minutes needed to sign up in order to help others and save lives. We’re fairly certain anyone unwilling to give a liver will take the same time to serve themselves.

At the end of the day and debate it all comes down to doing the right thing and choosing between two moral tick boxes:
– I am willing to accept organs from others and donate mine in return
– I will neither receive nor give organs. Of course few people take that approach: they generally choose to accept without giving.
In case you’re wondering, you’re more likely to need a transplant than become a donor. Choose wisely and be on the right side of your history.

Sign up to be an organ donor here and now and give someone else a new life when yours ends.

 

by Jo Davey

The post Health: With Organ Donation, England is Lagging Behind appeared first on Felix Magazine.