Organ donor choice cut from driving licences

Tuesday 24 April 2018

It's been officially confirmed that the option to specify whether you want to donate your organs after death is to be taken off driving licence applications in Jersey, just weeks after it emerged that the data collected wasn't being properly passed on.

A formal Ministerial Decision has been published confirming the change, which says the Parishes will stop collecting that information, and pass any data they currently hold to NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT).

While the box that gives islanders the option to register as organ donors will be deleted from the form, a notice will be added to the notes advising them that they can register directly with the NHSBT, via their website, instead.

The issue emerged last month following an ITV investigation, which alleged that thousands of islanders had been missed off the organ donation register, as their details hadn't been passed on. 

The States Assembly recently approved a new opt-out organ donation system, which will automatically make all islanders donors unless they – or their family members – explicitly object. The law change was approved with 44 votes in favour and one against on 11 April, following an emotional debate where numerous States Members, including Health Minister Senator Andrew Green, drew on personal experiences to make the case for the new system.

Video: Senator Andrew Green making the case for the new system during the States Assembly organ donation debate. The vote was won with 44 votes in favour and just one against.

As only 12% of islanders are currently registered as organ donors, it is hoped the new system will help drive up numbers. The Health and Social Security Scrutiny Panel has however warned that the opt-out approach should be accompanied by other measures, including a "high profile and sustained public awareness campaign."

Other minor changes, described as "cosmetic", are being made to the layout and wording of other sections on the application form, in a bid to include appropriate General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) statements.

As part of the amendments, islanders will be able to provide an email address in addition to other contact information. They will also be asked about any medical conditions they may have, when they last told the Parish about it and if it has gotten any worse since.

The Minister for Infrastructure, Deputy Eddie Noel, approved the requests on 16 April.