The Government has launched an open consultation titled, âIntroducing âopt-outâ consent for organ and tissue donation in Englandâ. This consultation will run until 6 March.
Responding to the consultation, Bishop Paul Mason, the Catholic bishop responsible for healthcare, said, âThe Governmentâs plans to introduce âopt-outâ consent for organ and tissue donation in England undermine the concept of donation as a gift, and cross the line of what is a reasonable action for the state to take in relation to the individuals within it.
âMoreover, the structure of âopt-outâ consent doesnât necessarily succeed. This system was introduced in Wales in December 2015. Since then there has in fact been a slight decrease in organ transplants in Wales, compared with an increase in England over the same period.
âWhen an âopt-outâ system is implemented for organ donation, it is no longer a gift. Voluntary organ donation is an intrinsic good and something Iâd encourage all people to consider.â
