40Would a donor's family ever know who the recipient was?
Confidentiality is always maintained, except in the case of living donors who usually already know each.
If the family wish, they will be given some brief details such as the age and sex of the person or persons who have benefited from the donation. Patients who receive organs can obtain similar details about their donors. It is not always possible to provide recipient information to donor families for some types of tissue transplant.
Those involved may want to exchange anonymous letters of thanks or good wishes through the transplant co-ordinators and in some instances donor families and recipients have arranged to meet.
41Why should I discuss my wishes with my relatives?
So that they know what you would like to happen after your death and can confirm or help inform NHS staff what your wishes were. If you register your wishes without telling the people closest to you, it may come as a surprise at a time when they are trying to deal with their loss.
If you think you would find it difficult to raise the subject, you could try using this booklet or a TV or newspaper story about a transplant to start a discussion.
