Organ donor card not proof of consent

March 1, 2006

Carrying an organ donor card is not proof of consent to donation, the Minister for Health confirmed.

Minister Mary Harney said there are two donation systems to ascertain an individual's wishes on organ donation: the opt-in system and the opt-out system.

She told Deputy Máire Hoctor (PD-Tipp North) and Deputy Jim Higgins (Ind -- Dublin North) that the opt-in system applies in Ireland. It requires the specific consent from a donor or their relatives, before the removal of organs, she said.

"The practice in this country is that, even when a person has indicated his or her willingness to donate organs by way of carrying an organ donor card, or a driving licence marked accordingly, the consent of the next-of-kin is always sought," said the Minister.

The opt-out system presumes consent to donation unless there is a specifically expressed a wish to the contrary. The Minister said the relatives of the deceased are approached in the opt out process and can register an objection to the donation.

The Minister has asked the Health Service Executive to carry out a review and analysis of the factors that impact on organ procurement and retrieval rates in hospitals. She informed TDs that the European Commission is considering an organ transplantation directive.

Copyright © 2006 Irish Medical Times.

This article posted March 20, 2006.