74% of people in the North West say they would support changing the law for organ donation

British Heart Foundation

Almost three quarters (74%) of people in the North West are in favour of an ‘opt-out’ organ donation system - where people are registered as a donor, unless they state otherwise - rather than the current ‘opt-in’ law, according to new figures from the British Heart Foundation (BHF).

In a poll of over 2,000 people the heart research charity found that, out of those in the North West area who would not support a change in the law, nearly half (47%) were put off by concerns that they would not be able to opt out, or that it would be difficult to do so. The charity says this highlights a lack of public awareness and confusion about the proposed new system which would allow any person opposed to donating their organs to opt out.

This Friday, MPs have the opportunity to make history by voting in favour of a new Bill that will introduce an ‘opt-out’ system in England, potentially saving thousands of lives. People in the North West are being urged to write to their local MP, to encourage them to attend the debate.

The BHF say the figures also indicate a lack of awareness around the urgency of organ donation, with two thirds of people in the North West (60%) underestimating the number of people on the organ transplant list in the UK (which last year peaked at 6,388)¹ and two fifths (40%) underestimating the number of people who died last year whilst on the waiting list for an organ (a total of 457 people²).

The figures also revealed that two fifths (40%) of people are not aware of their families wishes when it comes to organ donation, with nearly half (48%) saying they simply hadn’t thought about having this conversation and one fifth (20%) saying it was too awkward or sad to bring up.

Simon Gillespie, Chief Executive at the British Heart Foundation, said: “There is a desperate shortage of organs in the UK and introducing an opt-out system in England will better reflect the views of the general public and give hope to those currently waiting for a transplant they so desperately need.

“We are urging everyone in the North West to encourage their local MP to attend parliament this Friday to debate a Bill that could save lives.”

Kieran Sandwell, who had a heart transplant at just 38, said: “I have been given a second chance at life, but I have met many others who are living in agonising uncertainty about whether they will live or die. For them, a new organ is their only chance of survival.  Surely with so many people in need, an opt-out system is a no-brainer.

“I am alive today because my donor made it clear she wanted to donate her organs, and I will be forever thankful that she made her wishes clear.”

The BHF urges you to show your support for an opt-out organ donation system by encouraging your MP to attend the debate. Write to them here bhf.org.uk/organdonation