Northern Ireland Enacts Dáithí's Law, Increasing Organ Donor Rates
Dáithí's Law, named after a 6-year-old boy who needs a heart transplant, has come into effect in Northern Ireland.
The new legislation means that most adults in the region are now considered potential organ donors, unless they opt-out or are in an excluded group.
The intent of the legislation is to increase the number of organs available for transplant.
The change in law means that adults in Northern Ireland are deemed to have given consent as a potential organ donor after their death unless they choose to opt-out or are in an excluded group.
The Department of Health permanent secretary said that everyone would still have a choice.
The clinical lead for organ donation in Northern Ireland said that organ donation is a precious gift.
During the past year, 96 patients received a life-saving transplant from a deceased donor in Northern Ireland, and 59 donors enabled 140 life-saving transplants across the UK.
The article describes the experience of Clare McFaul's family after her sudden death due to an undetected brain arteriovenous malformation.
Her family was asked at the hospital whether Clare would want to donate her organs, and despite Clare not being on the donor register, her family agreed to donate her organs.
Ciara Hunter, Clare's sister, says that the new law regarding organ donation will make a big difference, but the decision to donate her heart and eyes was still difficult due to their sentimental value.
Ciara believes that Clare would be happy to know that her tragedy has sparked the conversation about organ donation and will make a difference to many people.