Guernsey switches to 'opt-out' organ donation system

Islanders will be deemed to consent to organ donation unless they have stated otherwise

A law that changed the legal consent system for organ donation in Guernsey has come into effect.

The island has now switched from an "opt-in" to an "opt-out" system.

It means islanders will be deemed to consent to organ donation unless they have formally expressed a view to the contrary.

The 1 January change comes after the States Assembly passed the Human Tissue and Transplantation (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law in 2020.

Children, people who lack capacity and those who were not a Guernsey resident 12 months prior to death are excluded from the new system.

The government said family members would "always be consulted" about decisions on organ donation.

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