WATCH: Opt-out organ donation approved after Health Minister’s emotional plea

Wednesday 11 April 2018

Politicians have overwhelmingly approved a new opt-out organ donation system, which will automatically make all islanders donors unless they – or their family members – explicitly object, following an emotional debate.

The law change was approved with 44 votes in favour and one against yesterday, with numerous States Members drawing on personal experiences to make the case for the new system.

Amongst those were Health Minister Senator Andrew Green, who brought the proposition, who recalled being asked about his young son’s suitability for organ donation following an accident that left the family fearful that he would not survive the night many years ago.

“I could not imagine my nine-year-old boy cut up and his organs taken from him,” he said.

He later added, however, that had his son needed a transplant to survive – “I would have absolutely said yes – in that, there is no doubt” – leading him to conclude that he should have said “yes.”

Video: The Health Minister, Senator Andrew Green, emphasised the importance of organ donation conversations amongst family members by sharing a personal tale.

He said that the opt-out system should force conversations to happen amongst families early on, rather than during moments of tension or tragedy. “That conversation should be taking place across the dinner table in families now, not these emotional situations that I was describing in the bedside at the Southampton Neurological Unit.”

His speech followed another from the Dean, who spoke of the “trauma” of trying to minister to parents devastated that a “heart never arrived” for their child.

Deputy Peter McLinton – the Assistant Health Minister for whom it was his final States sitting before finishing his political career – told members that “you start off life being selfish”, but that those "fortunate" enough to be alive should realise that they have the "gift of life" inside them.

Deputy Andrew Lewis reflected that it would be helpful for families to have the decision mostly “taken out of their hands” but with the “backstop” of being able to overturn it. He praised Deputy Richard Renouf – the Chairman of the panel tasked with reviewing the new law - who spoke passionately on the subject, opining that he was a “Health Minister in the making.”

Deputy Renouf’s review had concluded that the opt-out system might not be enough to increase organ donation alone – a concern expressed by some States Members during the debate – but assurances were made that the law change would be coupled with a public awareness campaign.

Only 12% of islanders are currently on the organ donation register. The Welsh government has already adopted such a move, while England and Scotland are debating it.