Scotland will introduce soft opt-out system for organ donation

In order to reduce the number of people waiting for transplants and to increase the number of those donating, Scottish ministers are to introduce a new system based on presumed consent to agree to donate.

The ‘soft opt-out’ system builds on deemed authorisation, but also incorporates additional safeguards and conditions which might include seeking authorisation from the person’s nearest relative, for certain groups of people, or in certain circumstances.

The change of policy from an opt-in system to an opt-out one comes after the success that Wales have had since introducing a presumed consent system in December 2015, which generated a rise in organ donations and an increase in the number of families agreeing to donate.

Aileen Campbell, the Scottish health minister, said: “We should not forget that organ donation is a gift, which can only occur as a result of tragic circumstances and every donor and their family has made a selfless decision which has enabled others to live.

“We need to continue doing what we can in order to help reduce the numbers of people in Scotland waiting for transplants. Moving to an opt-out system of organ and tissue donation will be part of the long-term culture change in attitudes to encourage people to support donation.”