Onchan member Peter Karran raised a question at this morning's sitting of the House of Keys as to what action is taken to protect the wishes of the deceased person in cases of organ donation?

The Minister for Health and Social advised that the practice in the Isle of Man is identical to that in England and a specialist nurse in organ donation from the North West region comes to the Island to help with discussions with relatives and the process of organ donation.

The Island has an active Organ Donation committee who meet regular to ensure that the latest advice is incorporated into practice in the Isle of Man.

He stressed that he wishes of the deceased person in relation to organ donation are paramount.

Consent is still required from the next of kin even if the patient has an organ donation card and /or is registered on the organ donation register.  He added we would advise the next of kin that their wish was to donate their organs (as some patients may not have discussed this with their family members whilst they were alive) and that we would like to respect this wish.  If the next of kin is extremely distressed then organ donation would not proceed.

Organ donation is a subject very close to the heart of the local mum Diane Taylor, who lost her son, Daniel, in a tragic car accident 9 years ago this month. Daniel went on to save 4 lives through organ donation after his death and his mum has set up a Facebook page where people can come together to discuss the subject.  Diane was also part of the Committee who last year set up a Memorial Garden at Nobles Hospital in memory of organ donors from the Island.