Getting the organ donation message across

National Organ Donation Week was supported by Kettering General Hospital and offered the opportunity to reinforce the law around organ donation, while reassuring its staff that they still have a choice whether they would like to be an organ donor or not.

To encourage and engage staff, the Kettering hospital’s Organ & Tissue Donation Committee set up a virtual walk challenge and provided cakes and refreshments for all visitors at the pop-up information point. The highlight of the activities was the donation from Whirlpool UK who supplied a top-of-the-range washing machine as a raffle prize.

In May this year, the law around organ donation changed in the UK and it is now an opt-out system. This means that if you are not in an excluded group and have not confirmed whether you want to be a donor, it will be considered that you agree to organ donation.

Shirley Newman, Chair of the Organ & Tissue Donation Committee, said: “It has been an extraordinary year with enormous challenges. We thank everyone for all their support in making this campaign a success in promoting organ donation so we can continue to save lives. The gift of the Whirlpool washing machine was the icing on the cake and helped our efforts to raise awareness throughout Organ Donation Week.

“It is really essential that we are all aware of the new law and what has changed. It is also important that everyone registers their decision about organ donation and shares their choice with their friends and family.”

It is important to remember:

• The law around organ donation has changed to an opt-out system
• You still have a choice of whether you wish to be an organ donor or not
• Whatever your decision, ensure you register and share your decision with those near and dear to you

The Group Chief Executive of Kettering and Northampton General Hospitals, Simon Weldon, said: “It is vitally important that we focus on helping people to understand that the law has changed and what actions they need to be taken.

“We are sincerely grateful for all the support from those who encouraged our staff to join us during Organ Donation Week. It certainly brought the staff to the hospital’s Pocket Park to enjoy the event set up by the Organ & Tissue Donation Committee.”

For more information on the changes and organ donation please go to: https://www.organdonation.nhs.uk/