THE law around organ donation is changing after the recent Dying Matters Awareness Week.

Under the new law, all adults in England will be considered as having agreed to donate their own organs when they die unless they record a decision not to donate, known as ‘opting out’, or are in one of the excluded groups.

Those excluded will be people under 18, those who lack the mental capacity to understand the new arrangements and take the necessary action, people who have lived in England for less than 12 months or who are not living here voluntarily, and those who have nominated someone else to make the decision on their behalf.

The charity Dying Matters aims to bring conversations and talking about the subject of death and bereavement into the national agenda.

Anthony Clarkson, Director of Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplantation at NHS Blood and Transplant, said: “During Dying Matters Awareness Week, we were asking everyone to talk about organ donation. Not only is it important to register your choice but also to discuss your decision with your family and friends.

“Even though the law around organ donation is changing on May 20, there is no deadline to making your donation decision, you can register your choice at any time.“Your family will always be involved in discussions about the possibility of donation, so it is vital you share your choice with them, whether you are with them in person, or arestaying connected via a chat over the phone or on family Zoom or Skype calls.”

The theme for this year’s Dying Matters Awareness Week is ‘dying to be heard’ and encourages everyone to engage with one another about their decision on organ donation and knowing what they would want to do if they could make their own decision.

The change in law will still give people a choice whether or not to donate. Families will still be consulted and people’s faith, beliefs and culture will continue to be respected. Where an individual has not expressed a decision, specialist nurses will support their families to make a decision based on what their loved ones would have wanted. If the decision is not to donate, this will be honoured and upheld.

Organ donation will not go ahead if a potential donor tests positive for COVID-19.

For more information and to register your choice on donating your organs, visit www.organdonation.nhs.uk.