Health chief at Hartlepool's hospital trust welcomes new Max and Keira's organ donation law

Under the new Organ Donation Act, commonly known as Max and Keira’s law which came into force on Wednesday, May 20, all medically suitable adults in England are automatically placed on the donor register unless they opt out.

But Dr Deepak Dwarakanath, Medical Director and Deputy Chief Executive of North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, has assured that family permission will still be needed.

The new law, named after little girl who gave her heart and the boy who received it, aims to overturn the low number of life-saving and life-changing organ donations.

There are currently some 6,000 people on the waiting list in the UK, and tragically three die every day.

Dr Dwarakanath said: “Organ donors are heroes. They save lives because of their kindness. It’s not just that one life, it’s the lives that will follow as some of those people will go on to have children of their own.

“One donated organ can leave a legacy that lasts generations.”

Exclusions to the new law include people under 18, those lacking the mental capacity to give consent and anyone who has lived in the country for less than 12 months.

Dr Dwarakanath added: “We will still gain permission from the next of kin prior to any donation.

“We’re asking everyone who wants to donate their organs to discuss their decision with their loved ones so that should that day ever come, permission will be granted.”

Adults can also decide which organs and tissues they do or don’t want to donate.

The new law has been backed by the family of Alice Skinner, 19, of Hartlepool, who received a kidney transplant when she was eight.

Alice’s mum Nicola Frankland, of Clavering, said earlier this year: “We’re obviously over the moon. It’s what people have been wanting for a long time.

“The fact people will have to opt out rather than opt in, it makes a massive difference.”

To find out more about the new law, or to remove yourself from the register, visit: www.organdonation.nhs.uk

Related: Big majority of readers in favour of opt-out system

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