Organ donors will be asked of religious considerations

Those joining the UK organ donation register are to be asked if they want their religious beliefs to be considered in the donation process.

The new measure, to be added to the register by the NHS straight away, will hopefully boost the low proportion of donors from black and Asian backgrounds and aims to reassure people that donation can take place in line with their faith or beliefs, with research indicating that faith and cultural beliefs can be a stumbling block to donation.

NHS Blood and Transplant, the organisation that runs the NHS organ donation register, said this would enable nurses to discuss concerns about the process with families, such as whether a burial would be delayed.

With more than a third of patients waiting for a kidney transplant being from black, Asian and other minority ethnic communities, part of the shortage of donors is believed to be caused by people from these backgrounds choosing not to donate. In fact, 42 per cent of black and Asian families agreed to donate their relative's organs last year, compared with 66 per cent of families from the overall population.

However, if a person does choose to donate by signing up to the register, families retain the final say on whether their organs should be used.

Jackie Doyle-Price, Minister for Inequalities, said: "Organ donation is a priceless gift but thousands of people are still waiting for a transplant and we must do all we can to remove the barriers that prevent people from signing up as a donor. This important update will give people the confidence that when they register a decision to donate their organs, their beliefs will always be considered."