General Chat

Hi, Sorry to muscle-in, but a sudden thought has occurred to me. I have carried a donor card for years now, but we have recently moved house into a different county. Do I have to notify anybody about our change of address, or is that automatically done on a national database? Many thanks, Chris

I agree with it - but not sure about Paul's reply about him being of sound mind! :-)))

I agree in fact I really think it should be an opt out thing. There must be many people who would willing donate their organs and just don't get round to getting a card. Germaine x

Personally, I think we should all be registered by default at 18 with the choice of opting out. This new law is, I believe, a healthy step in the right direction, and certainly far better than asking shocked and grieving relatives to make a decision that may go against what the deceased wished.

i agree completely, after all what a wonderful legacy to leave behind, and for those of us that believe in god, it's our souls that pass over, not our bodies. bryan.

You've spurred me into action!! I was one of those people who never got round to registering, but have just done it online, and it took seconds. Thanks for the shove I needed. S xx

unsure about this one. Think its a bit like making a will. People dont like to think about whats going to happen when they die. Its okay if I get a new body in the afterlife.........

whilst i agree with the law, as a card carrying donar myself i do wonder how it will be policed as a nurse, i would not like the idea of telling an already distressed relative that dispite what they say the organs WILL be taken. especially as the patient has to be kept ventilated until the harvest is complete, so to all intents and purposes 'appear' to be breathing to the relatives. i mean if the rellies kick off will they really phone the police to enforce this?? sorry but i was just wondering (seeing how my hubby is against them taking anything dispite my wishes) Bev

Bev,You have a very valid point,Perhaps they should not be told, after all its a personal choice,why do relatives need to know.

well that is one way roxanne, dont tell them you carry a card but what if you dont know until you tell them what their feelings are?? and quite often the card is only found by the medical/nursing staff is it ethical NOT to tell rellies that they will be taking organs??? just thinking back to the recent scandel over the babies organs that were taken without parents knowledge Bev

if the relatives actually want to be with their loved ones when they die thats when a 'situation' could occur.

True Bev,But in the circumstances of a child, It should be different. If your an adult whether your dead or alive,I wouldent want anyone going against my wishes.

Bev I am sure that I read on the BBC website that even if the person was a donor but the relatives were adamant that they didnt want any organs used then it would be up to the DR involved if to decide whether to use the organs as not to upset the relatives. I copied this from what they said: Under the new law, doctors will now be able to insist on the organs being used where consent by the person had been given even in the face of objections from family members. However, many believe if relatives object strongly doctors will not exercise this right. Debs x

i agree with you Roxanne my point is i think this is going to be very difficult to enforce any who is responsible for enforcing it where necessary? Bev

I mentioned earlier on here that under 18's organs should NOT be taken without parents consent, The organs that were taken from babies at Alder Hey a few years ago were for research, not donation, but one eye should still be kept on this.

lol teresa no pun intended???? pmsl Bev

When people are newly bereaved they dont function properly,what they think is right at the time isent always their true decision,I know this from experience,off subject a little. When my father died there was some very peculiar factors, we thought there was some negligence on the consultants side,they wanted to do a post-mortem,my mother just couldent bare the fact that they would cut him up,so it dident happen, now she wishes she had had it done,it could have saved others from the same fate.

Oooops Bev LOL..... Sorry no pun intended. Was good though lol

I fully agree with Paul and most of you. . If you do not wish to donate, then carry a card or be on a register. Under 18's should have permission from Next of Kin. Jenny.

I agree with the 'opt-out system' - it would save such heartache for families and the decision will be made by the individual concerned! xx