The Sick Children's Trust/Inspired By Keira/FacebookAdults in England will now all be considered potential organ donors, unless they opt-out or are excluded.
The Queen gave royal assent to the Organ Donation Bill yesterday (March 15), which is known as Max and Keira’s Law after nine-year-old Keira Bell donated her heart to 10-year-old Max Johnson.
Keira saved four lives in total, including Max’s who suffered with a dilated cardiomyopathy, a disease that affects the heart muscle.
The new system will come into force spring 2020, replacing the current opt-in voluntary system.
According to the government, in the UK there are more than 6,000 people currently waiting for an organ. Three people die every day while on the waiting list.
Currently only 38 per cent of people in England have opted in.
Max and Keira's Law has officially passed through @UKParliament.
@MattHancock hails the importance of this step and pays tribute to the children after whom the law is named: https://t.co/tT8kCKmw0h #OrganDonation pic.twitter.com/gqfjlnzQzd— Department of Health and Social Care (@DHSCgovuk) March 15, 2019
In the press release, Prime Minister Theresa May said she hopes the new law will save hundreds of lives:
I’m delighted Max and Keira’s law has passed today. It marks a momentous step for thousands of people in need of a life-saving transplant, and could save as many as 700 lives a year.
With significantly more people willing to consider organ donation than are actually registered as donors, this vital step will presume consent unless people choose to opt out of being a donor.
It’s important that everyone takes the time to discuss their choices on donation with their families and register their wishes, whatever their preference may be.
The government will also launch a public awareness campaign to ensure people understand what choices they have, and how the new system works.
Plans to change the rules on organ donation consent in England have been granted Royal Assent today – giving formal confirmation that the Bill will now become law from Spring 2020. https://t.co/UoNz3AEmZJ pic.twitter.com/GpSVRJXSmO
— NHS Organ Donation
(@NHSOrganDonor) March 15, 2019
While anyone can choose to opt-out, if you are under 18 years old, lack the mental capacity to understand the changes for a significant period before your death, and have not lived in England for at least 12 months before your death, you will be excluded from the plan.
The government will look into whether certain organs should be excluded from the opt-out system.
Wales introduced an opt-out system in 2015, while Scotland is currently considering reform.
“Right now, over 6,000 people in the UK are on the transplant waiting list, while last year over 400 people died waiting. Organ donation will always be a precious gift and if more people are inspired to support and agree to donation, then many more lives can be saved.” pic.twitter.com/KPGMy0q17h
— NHS Organ Donation
The news really is momentous, and has been a long time coming for many campaigners.
Max himself told NHS Organ Donation he is delighted by the news:
Thank you to everyone who has supported this law change. Even if it saves just one life, it will be worth it. I know what it is like to wait for an organ, so I hope the change in law will mean people won’t have to wait as long in the future. I feel happy because I think the law change will make a difference.
Max is right, the law will make a difference, and is something that means a lot to many people.
On a personal level, my dad had a life-saving liver transplant two years ago which helped me realised the importance of organ donation. It really is a wonderful gift!
To find out more about organ donation, visit the NHS’ Organ Donation website.
If you have a story you want to tell, send it to stories@unilad.co.uk.
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