People in West Sussex urged to talk about organ donation
It follows a change in the law earlier this year
People are being urged to talk to their families about organ donation, as this week (7 to 13 September) marks Organ Donation Week.
It is hoped that by improving communication around the subject, more people's lives can be saved or transformed by an organ transplant.
According to figures from NHS Blood and Transplant, 31 people in West Sussex had their lives saved by a transplant last year.
On 20 May, 2020, the law around organ donation in England changed to an ‘opt out’ system.
This means it will be considered that people would be willing to donate their organs, unless they have opted out, are in one of the excluded groups or have told their family they do not want to donate.
Family members will still be consulted before organ donation goes ahead.
George Brann, specialist nurse for organ donation, told Greatest Hits Radio West Sussex people still have a choice:
"If they don't want to be considered as a donor then they are still advocated and we would still push for them to make their decision known, either be it on the Organ Donor Register or just a conversation with their families to say 'I would like to be, or not like to be, considered as a donor.
"No one wants to have that conversation about end of life care, bereavement care or donation discussions because it seems morbid.
"But my take on this is just to talk to your family, talk to your friends.
"Either a positive conversation about donation or one to say 'no, I don't want to be', is absolutely fine."
"If they don't want to be considered as a donor then they are still advocated and we would still push for them to make their decision known, either be it on the Organ Donor Register or just a conversation with their families to say 'I would like to be, or not like to be, considered as a donor.
"No one wants to have that conversation about end of life care, bereavement care or donation discussions because it seems morbid.
Find out more or register your decision on the NHS Organ Donor Register.