Organ donors to be able to decide who they help

Organ donors will be able to specify who they want their organs to go to under new rules announced by the Department of Health.

The new guidance for transplant teams states that in some exceptional cases people will be able to request that their organs or those of a family member are given to a relative or close friend if they die.

According to the government, the new measures will provide greater flexibility in the allocation of organ donations.

Health minister Ann Keen stated that she expects requests for specific organ allocations to be rare, but said the measures will help to create a fairer system which takes the wishes of donors into account.

She added: “This change is greatly welcomed, as it will bring much needed clarity to what is a sad and difficult time for the family of a deceased donor.”

Chris Rudge, national clinical director for transplantation, also welcomed the policy change, stating that it represents the achievement of a “significant balance” between the wishes of donors and the clinical need for organ contributions.