Changes to the current Opt-in System & Over 2350 Signatures!

I am delighted to say we now have over 2350 Signatures and collectively Tracey, Samantha & myself have over 80,000 signatures - I can hardly believe it! I was also really pleased to hear on Friday that NHSBT are finally deciding to emphasise the fact that under the current "Opt-in" system that people’s decision to be an organ donor is a legal decision and not to be overridden. In my opinion it is your immediate will - your will and wishes for all your possessions and assets are not overridden. So why should your wishes for your body - the thing that most belongs to you be overruled just because you're no longer hear to have your say! NHSBT released figures stating that 547 people’s wishes to donate their organs & tissues were blocked over the past 5 years. It's estimated that 1200 people on the current transplant waiting list could have been provided with a potentially life-saving transplant (we can save as many lives as a cat apparently has if we choose to donate everything) if their wishes hadn't been blocked. Sally Johnson the Director of Organ Donation & Transplantation at NHSBT said: “People who join the register want and expect to become organ donors. We do not want to let them down. We have every sympathy for families – and of course we do not want to make their grief worse. We think this will make what is a hugely distressing day easier for them, by reducing the burden on them." To achieve this NHSBT are considering options such as families signing a document with their reasons for overriding their relatives wishes alike the retraction form relatives who overrule their relatives wishes to donate already have to do in Scotland, or even the option of not asking for relatives permission, because as the deceased has already made their legal decision their permission is not actually needed. A survey carried out by NHSBT showed 73% of people didn't think their relatives should be able to overrule their wishes. This article is well worth a read for more information as are any of those published in the national newspapers on Friday: http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/jan/15/nhs-moves-to-stop-bereaved-families-blocking-donation-of-relatives-organs This is a step in the right direction towards our aim - it's estimated by not asking relatives the percentage of donors could go up by 9% - I think like the Soft Opt out option I am proposing relatives should still be consulted as it is important for them to be involved in the process, although the method the NHSBT are considering may still involve the relatives being consulted about their relatives lifestyle and medical history prior to donation. However, I think the family are much more likely to help with this, as well as feeling more comfortable in an already extremely difficult time if they're actually consulted, this doesn't mean the fact their relative wished to be a donor can't be emphasised. I feel by being consulted the families grieving process maybe made slightly easier. This is a fantastic step forward in the interim whilst we wait to change to Soft Opt-out - it certainly left me with the Friday feeling. Please feel free to comment below with your thoughts and any queries, and I will endeavour to answer them. Thank you again for ALL your support. Kindest regards Lucy Ryan