Falkirk residents urged to make decision known ahead of new opt out organ donation law

NHS Forth Valley has backed a new campaign highlighting the impact of a new ‘opt out’ approach to organ and tissue donation.
Organ donation opt outOrgan donation opt out
Organ donation opt out

From March 26, Scotland will make the change to help save and improve lives.

The new law means that if people aged 16 and over have not recorded a decision about donation, they will be considered as a possible donor if they die in circumstances in which they could donate.

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Everyone has a choice – to be a donor, or opt out of donation - and NHS Forth Valley wants people to make their decision know by recording it on the organ donor register, and telling their families, because they will still be consulted to check what their loved ones latest views on donation were.

Dr Helen Tyler, consultant in anaesthetics and intensive care medicine and clinical lead for organ donation, said: “Organ donation isn’t something that comes up in everyday conversation, but ahead of the law changing we’re encouraging people to make time to think about what they’d want to happen, and share it.

“Your name will not be on the NHS Organ Donor Register until you record a decision. Everyone has a choice about whether or not they want to donate, and the best way to make it known is by recording it on the Register and telling those close to you.”

A recent survey revealed almost two thirds of people in Scotland were aware of the choices they have under the new law.

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Of those, 70 per cent have decided to be a donor, eight per cent have decided to opt out, and one in five haven’t decided yet.

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