'Opt Out' law won't solve organ donor shortage

cyberhog

In the UK the Organ Donation Taskforce were asked to assess the possible impact of a change to presumed consent
for organ donation and this is what they concluded:

Taskforce members had a wide range of views at the outset. however, after examining the evidence, the Taskforce reached a clear consensus in recommending that an opt out system should not be introduced in the UK at the present time. The Taskforce concluded that such a system has the potential to undermine the concept of donation as a gift, to erode trust in nhs professionals and the government, and negatively impact on organ donation numbers. it would distract attention away from essential improvements to systems and infrastructure and from the urgent need to improve public awareness and understanding of organ donation. furthermore, it would be challenging and costly to implement successfully. most compelling of all, we found no convincing evidence that it would deliver significant increases in the number of donated organs.

http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_090312

Also from the report

Dr rafael matesanz, president of the spanish national Transplant organisation, gave evidence to the Taskforce during the preparation of its first report. he was explicit: presumed consent was not the reason for the success of the spanish system.

The following quote is from the Programme for Government

We will legislate to change the organ donation to an opt-out system for organ transplantation, rather than an opt in system so as to improve the availability of organs for patients in desperate need.

Our Governments ill-conceived plan to improve availablility of organs will more likely result in a fall in organ donation numbers. We will see people that under the current system would be willing to donate organs deciding to opt out because of their strong oppostion to a system of persumed consent being forced upon us.

People need to understand that there is no clear evidence to support the view that opt out legislation will lead to an increase in organ donation.I believe it would be in the best interests of everyone for the Government to seriously rethink their approach on this matter.

I think it will increase donation.. Anyone willing to donate but opts out because of this probably doesn't have an organ donor card in the first place.

I know someone would get my organs because of the change.. I'm all for it.

CreepingDeath

My sister was trained by the Nhs.
One of her courses lessons was on how to rationalise a cheaper treatment to patient.
This sounds like more of the same.

More organ availability means more expensive transplant operations.

And more saved lives.

RobAMerc

CreepingDeath wrote: »

More organ availability means more expensive transplant operations.

holy carp

Aka Ishur

Looks like another report from the NHS defending the neglect of expensive surgeries at the cost of lives, backed by a spanish dude who has to say that to justify his job. We should have had presumed consent years ago.

CreepingDeath

RobAMerc wrote: »

holy carp

I'm not saying I agree... I can just imagine the thinking behind the story.

Fratton Fred

CreepingDeath wrote: »

My sister was trained by the Nhs.
One of her courses lessons was on how to rationalise a cheaper treatment to patient.
This sounds like more of the same.

More organ availability means more expensive transplant operations.

but less time on expensive dialysis machines.

The problem the NHS has isn't the sick patients, it is the 90% of patients who aren't sick. Said patients then demand expensive treatment they don't need.