Dáithí Mac Gabhann As Northern
Ireland moves to a new opt-out system for organ donation - thanks in no small part to the tireless campaigning of brave little Dáithí Mac Gabhann and his family - there may be a few things that you need clarification on. It's a complex and emotive subject, of course, but as we are in contact with the experts at the Public Health Agency (PHA), we asked you, the Belfast Live readers, to send us your questions on the issue. You replied in large numbers with some great questions on things like the age groups involved, the safety of organ donation, concerns around loved ones and the uptake elsewhere in the
UK, which moved to an opt-out system before we did. Read on for the lowdown, and don't forget to visit www.organdonationni.info/register-now to record your decision on the NHS Organ Donor Register. We put your questions to the experts What is the age to opt in for organ donation? There is no age limit for becoming an organ donor. Parents and guardians can register their children, and children can register themselves. In
Northern Ireland, children aged 14 and over can sign the register and parents/guardians can register their children before the age of 14 if it is something the child has expressed a wish to do. Children who are under 18 at the time of registration will require their parent or guardian’s consent for donation to take place. Which organs are donated? By registering to become an organ and tissue donor you have the option to donate organs such as your heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, pancreas and small bowel. You can also choose to donate your corneas and heart valves. Can I choose which organs I don't want donated? Everyone has a choice as to whether or not they want to become an organ donor after they die, and if you choose to donate, you can choose to donate either some or all of your organs. The best way to do this is via the website at www.organdonationni.info/register-now One organ donor could go on to save and transform the lives of up to nine people How many lives does one donation help save? One organ donor could go on to save and transform the lives of up to nine people, and many more lives could be transformed through tissue donation. How are organs screened to make sure they aren't harmful? The decision about whether some or all organs or tissue are suitable for transplant is made by medical specialists at the time of donation, taking into account your medical, travel and social history. This information is collated from the in-hospital medical records, from a discussion with the patients’ GP, and in consultation with their family. A full set of blood tests are taken to ascertain the function of the organs and to identify any blood-borne viruses. Each individual donation is unique, so the number and type of tests required to ensure the organs are going to work when transplanted will be determined on a case-by-case basis. In Northern Ireland, children aged 14 and over can sign the register Will the process of retrieving organs interfere with funeral arrangements? The organ donation operation is performed as soon as possible after death by highly skilled professionals who take the same care and attention, and offer the same respect, as they would in any operation. The process of organising donation can take as little as 24 hours. After this, however, funeral arrangements can be made as normal, including the option to have an open coffin. Your body will always be returned to your family after donation in the same way as any death in a hospital where donation has not taken place. Families are given the opportunity to spend time with their loved one after the operation if they wish. When opt-out was introduced in Wales, it made no difference to donation figures. Do you have proof that this has changed? Opt-out legislation came into effect in Wales in December 2015. Since then, the consent rate increased from 58% to 70.7% in 2020. The impact was not immediate and took several years to take effect, following an extensive media promotion and information campaign by the Welsh government. It is possible to be a living donor and donate to a relative, friend or someone you do not know. Can you choose a specific person to donate to? Circumstances where an individual dies, is a potential donor, and has a relative or friend of long standing in need of an organ to whom they would wish to allocate their organ, are infrequent. All donations from deceased donors must be unconditional although donor families may request allocation to a close family member or friend. Having first established that the consent or authorisation to organ donation is unconditional, a request for the allocation of a donor organ can be considered in these rare cases, with some key principles considered before any decision is made on the allocation of the organ. It is possible to be a living donor and donate to a relative, friend or someone you do not know. The most common type is kidney donation, when one kidney is removed from a healthy individual and transplanted into a relative or friend. In recent years, it has also become possible for people to donate part of their liver. More information can be found at www.organdonationni.info/living-donation Can I stop a relative's organs being donated or is their decision final? Organ donation can only go ahead with an individual’s consent and/or the support of their family . Families will always be consulted about whether their loved one wanted to be an organ donor or not, and clinicians will never proceed with organ donation if the family or loved ones object. If the family object to donation even when their loved one has given their permission (either by telling relatives,
Friends or clinical staff, by joining the NHS Organ Donor Register or by carrying a donor card) healthcare professionals will discuss the matter sensitively with them. They will be encouraged to support the loved one’s decision. There may, nevertheless, be cases where it would be inappropriate for donation to go ahead if donation would cause distress to the family. For more information and to ensure that you are on the register, visit www.organdonationni.info/register-now Story Saved You can find this story in My Bookmarks. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. Follow BelfastLive
Facebook Twitter More On Sponsored Content