The right to choose Nurse of the year Fiona Murphy believes consent for organ donation should never be presumed

摘要

The shortage of organs and tissues for donation has been seen as such an intractable problem that a move to a presumed consent system is often suggested as a solution. This would be a major policy shift. Under presumed consent, everyone would be assumed to be willing to donate organs unless they opt out. I could not support such a system. I feel passionately that the decision to donate should be a positive choice, based on knowledge, understanding and accurate information. Healthcare professionals have no right to be gatekeepers, making presumed choices on behalf of others. An opt-out system could encourage distrust of healthcare professionals and create a need for intensive support and counselling for relatives upset by donation. There is also a lack of evidence that changing to presumed consent would raise donor numbers.