Scotland introduces opt out organ donation law

Almost five years to the day, Scotland took its first steps towards giving the gift of life to many more people, when a Members’ Bill was introduced in the Scottish Parliament which sought to change the law on organ donation.

heart in hands image

That Bill was instigated by our campaign to raise awareness of the importance of the change. Today the issue comes full circle, with a new law which sees Scotland adopt an opt-out system, meaning everyone will automatically be considered an organ and tissue donor unless they opt-out.

The law has been passed to save and improve lives. On average across the UK three people die each day in need of a new organ. Around 500 people in Scotland are currently waiting for an organ transplant. Tragically, there is a drastic shortage of donors meaning many people are living with life-limiting illnesses and an uncertain future.

A heart transplant may be the last option for people with end stage heart failure for which there is no cure. Around 200 heart transplants are carried out in the UK every year, but more people could benefit if the number of donors increased.

"It's a conversation we all need to have"

Our Head of BHF Scotland, James Jopling, has welcomed the change in the law, saying: “We believe the new law will offer patients the much-needed hope that a donor could be found before it’s too late. The legislation also paves the way for a shift in our social perceptions relating to organ donation. The key difference for families living in an opt-out system is that in the absence of a recorded decision, they will know their relative could have opted-out but chose not to do so. And we must continue to talk to each other about organ donation. Knowing our loved ones wishes in the event of their death and sharing our own is vital. It’s a conversation we all need to have.”

Organ donation opt-out isn’t the end of the journey, however. To deliver a world class organ donation system we believe there also needs to be additional investment in infrastructure and highly skilled and trained staff.

"If it wasn't for my donor, I would not have been there for the birth of my son."

Ross Peters and family

27-year-old Ross Peters from Dundee underwent a heart transplant last summer, after being diagnosed with heart failure at the age of 21. He has since made a full recovery and just three months after his operation, welcomed the arrival of his first child – baby Louis.

Ross says the operation has transformed his life and hopes the change in the law will lead to more donors, helping save many more lives.

Ross explains: “If it wasn't for my donor, I would not have been there for the birth of my son. Now, I can be there for every 1st experience as a dad. I can raise, play, care and love my son and spend the rest of my life with him because someone was kind enough to give the best gift a person can give.”