Board of Deputies calls for ministerial reassurances to be incorporated in new organ donation law

Board of Deputies Vice President Amanda Bowman commented the Organ Donation (Deemed Consent) Bill which has passed its third reading in the House of Lords.

Amanda said: “The Organ Donation (Deemed Consent) Bill is a landmark in the transplant system in England, moving the system from an opt-in model to an opt-out model

“The ministerial reassurances given to the Board of Deputies – most notably that there will always be a discussion with the family who can indicate their loved one’s wishes  – go some way to protect our religious freedom. It is also now possible to explicitly request for faith issues to be taken into account on the organ donation register.

“It is now essential that these reassurances are incorporated firmly into the system so that the Jewish community have confidence in the organ donation regime.”