Family Involvement
Why do I need to discuss my wishes with my relatives?
You need to discuss your wishes with your relatives so that they know at the time of asking that you have already discussed it with them. When you think that to become a potential donor you will have died in strange circumstances where it will be a trauma to your family anyway, it'll mean that they won't have to actually think about what your wishes will be because they will already know your wishes, you will have already told them. And we are losing 41 percent of people at the time of asking because the next of kin don't know the potential donor's wishes.
What will happen if my relatives object?
If your relatives object I can't see any medical staff going against you're relatives' wishes. But, if you are onto the organ donor register under the New Tissue Act, your wishes should be paramount. But then again, it's most important for you to discuss this with your next of kin so they know that this is your wish.
What will happen if I have no family or relatives?
If you have no family or relatives, then you must sign on the organ donor register if that is your wish to become a donor. Because the medical staff will access the database and they will be able to know that it is your wish so your organs can be used.
What is a qualifying relationship?
A qualifying relationship for, as far as organ donation is concerned, is a wide spectrum. In as much as with the way that's, the family life is now a days. Your next of kin would be your wife, your husband, your siblings, your aunties, your uncles. Also, they would be your common law wife or husband. Your oldest friend, would be very much lower down of the list of people who would actually be classed as a qualifying relationship.
Should I put my wishes in my will?
By putting your wishes in your will to became an organ donor, your will will be read well past the time that your organs would have been any use to anybody to receive them. So the best thing to do is to go onto the Organ Donor Register and register your wishes, tell your next of kin.
Will I be able to change my mind?
You can change your mind at any time you wish after you have registered onto the organ donor register by phoning 0845-6060400 which is the organ donor literature line and they will send you another form that you can fill in to take yourself off the organ donor register.
What should I do when a relative who wants to be a donor dies?
When a relative of yours has died and you know that they wished to become an organ donor, the best thing to do is contact the medical staff in the hospital where your next of kin are being cared for. If they die at home, please contact your GP because they will hopefully be able to contact the transplant coordinators and the retrieval teams to hopefully retrieve corneas, and tissue, and any of the tissues that can be donated.
Is there any remuneration for my family if I donate?
Your family will receive no payment, if you become a donor, as it is illegal in this country to buy or sell organs.
