BHF comment
Soft opt-out organ donation consultation welcomed
We are urging people in Northern Ireland to respond to the consultation and make their voice heard on soft opt-out organ donation.
Minister for Health Robin Swann launched the consultation today. The purpose of the consultation is 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.
The consultation launch comes as a poll conducted on our behalf shows almost three quarters of adults here are in favour of a new soft opt-out system for organ donation.
The YouGov poll showed 73 per cent of people surveyed support the change in the law. It also showed that 70 per cent of people would want any of their organs donated after their death but only 48 per cent of the population have recorded their wishes on the Organ Donor Register.
A shortage of donors
Fearghal McKinney, our head of BHF NI, said legislative change could lead to more people receiving life-saving transplants every year, better reflect the views of the majority of the population and help to shift social norms towards donation and away from refusal.
“Currently, there is an opt-in basis for consent for organ donation here, so this consultation is very welcome. Organ donation registrations are increasing but sadly there is still a shortage of donors,” he said.
“Latest figures show that as of September 2020 there were 115 people waiting for an organ transplant in Northern Ireland; 17 of them waiting on a new heart. The number of people who need a heart transplant is increasing. In the UK, the latest figures show the number of patients active on the heart transplant list increased by 164 per cent since 2011.
“We want to see a soft opt-out system introduced here and urge local people to respond positively to the consultation and the political parties to support the proposed changes.
“One person’s decision to donate their organs is a gift that can save and improve the lives of up to nine other people. We believe a change in the legislation, along with a strengthened health system and a public information campaign will lead to more people receiving the gift of a donated organ.”
Dáithí's story
Dáithí Mac Gabhann from West Belfast was born with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, which essentially means he only has half a working heart. The three year old has been waiting on the gift of a new heart for over two years. His parents Máirtín and Seph and their families have been leading campaigners for a change in the law here.
Máirtín said today’s launch is a culmination of hard work and community support.
“The launch of this consultation feels like the Christmas present we couldn’t have dreamed of when we started our campaign to introduce soft opt-out in the north," he said. "We as a family have put our heart and soul into this campaign and have been overwhelmed by the support from the local community.
"It is hard to find the right words to describe our emotions right now, but all the late nights travelling for meetings and lobbying politicians, all over the country is starting to feel worth it, as we are seeing progress being made.
'Have the conversation'
“We want to thank Health Minister Robin Swann for his support and to all the other politicians who have thrown their weight behind our campaign and got us to here today.
"The next steps is for the public to respond to the consultation and show that support for soft opt-out to help Dáithí and the other children and adults like him on the waiting list.
“Of course, our ultimate aim is for Dáithí to be the one who gets the gift of a new heart. So, over this Christmas period have that conversation with your family and tell them your wishes on organ donation."
The public consultation on the introduction of a statutory soft opt-out system for organ donation for Northern Ireland launched today will run for ten weeks until 5pm Friday 19 February 2021.
Everyone is encouraged to submit a response.