Organ Donation

Yes, in most circumstances.  Having a medical condition does not necessarily prevent a person from becoming an organ or tissue donor. The decision about whether some or all organs or tissue are suitable for transplant is made by a healthcare professional, taking into account your medical history.

There are only two conditions where organ donation is ruled out completely. A person cannot become an organ or tissue donor if they have been diagnosed with HIV or have, or are suspected of having, CJD.

Yes. The decision about whether some or all organs or tissue are suitable for transplant is always made by a specialist, taking into account your medical history.  There may be specific reasons why it has not been possible to donate blood, such as having had a blood transfusion or having had hepatitis in the past.  Or there may be reasons why you could not give blood because of your health at the time – sometimes a simple thing like a cold or medication that you are taking can prevent you from donating blood.

Everyone irrespective of age or health and who is considered legally competent can join the NHS Organ Donor Register. Joining the Register expresses a wish to help others by donating organs for use in transplantation after death but importantly, joining the Register also is a way to give legal consent or authorisation for donation to take place.

Your entry in the Register provides legal consent for the donation of your organs.

Children can register but their parents, guardians or those with parental responsibility will be asked to provide their consent should the child's death lead to donation being considered.

"I find a lot of comfort in knowing that if my son was not to have a full life, then at least another child will have the chance." Mother of donor, aged six

You can write to us at 'NHS Organ Donor Register, Freepost RRZK-SHUX-SBCK, NHS Blood and Transplant, Fox Den Road, Stoke Gifford, Bristol BS34 8RR' at any time to check if your details are recorded on the Register or to ask us to remove your details. We will write to you to confirm that we have done this.

If in the event of your death organ donation is being considered and if your name was added to the register when you were a child the medical staff involved will be alerted to the need to approach your family to obtain appropriate consent for donation to take place.