I was very pleased about something at the Conservative Party Conference. Despite the endless coughing, dodgy protester and badly glued letters, there was a policy announcement that I couldn't have been happier to hear. Currently, in order to donate your organs after you die, there is complicated paperwork to fill in. It is presumed you don't wish to donate an organ, hence the current opt-in system, to potentially save a life. However,...
The Government are proposing an opt-out scheme for organ donations in England. This is where it is presumed that someone wishes to donate their organs to someone in need, following their death. Instead of the hassle of tricky paperwork, there is deemed consent that someone wishes to help someone else. According to a Daily Mirror survey, over 65% of people support giving their organs away, yet only 39% were signed up to the organ register. For those who don’t wish to give away their organs, they can easily opt-out through a simple telephone call. This is a brilliant idea. Currently, the opt-out scheme is only available in Wales where, from December 2015, if no opt-out was given, the person's organs could be used to save someone else. Scotland swiftly followed in Wales' footsteps, announcing in June 2017 that legislation would be introduced to change to opt-out. It is only right that England should sign up to this system too. The evidence for organs being needed has never been stronger. According to the Department for Health, even though 3,293 organ transplants took place in England between 2016 and 2018, the highest rate of organ donation ever, there were still more people desperately waiting for transplants than the number of organs available. 6,500 people are on organ transplants waiting lists, with up to three people dying every day. The consent rate is even lower for ethnic minority communities, at 35% compared to 66% for white people. Only 6% of the organ donations came from BAME communities, meaning they have to wait, on average, six months longer for an organ. Though the opt-out scheme has the potential to save so many more lives, with those who want to donate not having to sign up, there is, sadly, some opposition. Most of it has come from religious groups. However, I'm not saying there is opposition from agnostics or atheists (though Humanists UK are staunch supporters) or that all religious people oppose the scheme. It is just a trend I've noticed when researching this vital issue. A key cornerstone of religion is morality. It's seen as a guide of how to life your life in a fulfilling way, based on the teachings within the specific holy book. Personally, I don't subscribe to any religion, but can understand why people choose to. Why then, is it seen as immoral to remove organs from a consenting dead person and put them in a desperately ill alive person? Surely, if people of all religions and none believe in the importance of life, then life should be allowed to all. Even if the dead person forgets to opt-out, the relatives of the family can always be asked if the person didn't wish to donate their organs. I've seen some tweets that suggest, because our organs can now be used to save lives, our bodies are under state control. Frankly, I've never read such nonsense. They would be under state control if you weren't allowed to opt-out of the scheme. As it happens, there is a perfect amount of freedom and choice in deciding whether you wish to donate organs. According to the Human Truth Foundation, surely the freedom to life is more important than the freedom to save/not save lives. It is so final. By having the freedom to donate organs, so much freedom is given to others. I couldn't agree with them more. Obviously, there will need to be consultation, to ensure the scheme is launched smoothly and effectively. The opt-out scheme for Wales was announced in July 2013, yet didn't come into place until December 2015. There is no point rushing into something that will be more costly than effective. Thankfully, the Department for Health have said they plan to launch consultation by the end of the year, listening to a range of views. This is the logical cause of action, ensuring that as many people have the ability to donate (and opt-out) if they wish. I disagree with so much about the Government's health policy: the lack of NHS funding, the involvement of private healthcare, the inability to appreciate the work junior doctors do, preventing a smooth agreement on pay. I also think there is too much of a focus from all the major parties on funding alone; reform is also necessary to ensure the NHS is more efficient. However, on crucial issues of life and death, which this policy has at its heart, politics shouldn't be partisan for the sake of it. The quality of life for organ receivers and the consent of organ donors must be put first. If an opt-out scheme can improve their life chances, count me in.
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