People opting out of organ donation at rate of 155 every hour since new legislation

Darragh Mc Donagh

Almost 40,000 people added their names to the opt-out register for organ donation in the first 10 days following the introduction of legislation last month, which made every adult a donor unless they expressly withdraw consent.

Figures released by the Health Service Executive (HSE) suggest that people are opting out of the scheme at a rate of almost 155 every hour since the law came into force on June 17th.

The Human Tissue Act 2024 was aimed at increasing organ donation rates by presuming that all adults living in Ireland for at least a year consent to donating their organs unless they have formally registered an objection.

New figures show that 38,687 people opted out by registering online or contacting the HSE by phone between June 17th and 12pm on June 27th.

A spokeswoman for the HSE noted that those who add their names to the register can change their mind and opt back in at any time.

“A new law around organ donation has introduced a soft ‘opt-out’ organ donation system, which means that you agree to be an organ donor when you die, unless you opt out,” she explained.

“If you die and are eligible to donate your organs, your next of kin are always consulted before any action is taken and, if they do not give consent, then the donation does not proceed."

“If you do not want to donate your organs, you can opt out by adding your name to the opt-out register,” added the spokeswoman.

The new legislation also made changes to living organ donations, including “non-directed altruistic donation” – which involves individuals donating to someone they don’t know.

Organs covered by the new opt-out system include the heart, lungs, liver, pancreas, and kidneys. Consent is still required from family members for other bodily organs, tissues or cells.

The scheme excludes people under the age of 18, as well as those who have not been resident in Ireland for at least a year, and those who may not have had the mental capacity to make an opt-out decision prior to death.