'Opt out' system for organ donation
Date published:
All adults in Northern Ireland are now considered potential organ donors unless they choose to opt out or are in an excluded group.
Organ donation wishes
There are more patients awaiting an organ transplant than there are organs available.
As a result, patients often have many years of illness while waiting for a suitable organ. In some cases, the call never comes.
One donor could potentially save or transform the lives of up to nine people.
Using an opt-out system, the hope is this makes it easier for families to support donation.
Everyone will still have a choice:
- people are free to opt out or change their decision at any time
- families will continue to be consulted
Have a chat with your family about your organ donation wishes.
You can find details, including about excluded groups, at this link:
Sadly, 10 to 15 patients die each year in NI while awaiting a transplant.