Latest news with #nextOfKin
Irish Times
4 days ago
- Health
- Irish Times
What are the new rules around organ donation in Ireland and what if I want to opt out?
What is happening from today? The Human Tissue Act 2024 introduces a presumption that your organs will be available for donation after you die. Previously, people had to actively opt in to the process. Now, the presumption has shifted, and adults – other than those in an excluded group – will be considered to have agreed to donate unless they actively opt out. If someone does not want to donate, they should note this via the national organ donation opt-out register. Even if a deceased person is not on the opt-out register, their next of kin will still be contacted to seek consent. The HSE says people who have registered to opt out 'will have their wishes respected', and their family will not be approached on the issue after death. READ MORE Excluded from this change are children under the age of 18, people who do not normally live in Ireland or who have lived in Ireland for less than a year and people who may not have had the capacity to decide to opt out of organ donation. What is the process of organ donation? If you do not opt out, you will be presumed to have opted in to the process. In that case your next of kin will be contacted for permission to use one of your organs for transplant . It is not possible to opt out of donation of individual relevant organs. You cannot, for instance, say you are happy to posthumously donate your kidney and not your lungs. The deemed organs covered by the Act are the heart, lungs, liver, pancreas and kidneys. The Act provides for non-directed altruistic donation by adults only, with additional protections and safeguards for donors. This covers the donation of an organ to somebody who is not known to the donor. [ Waiting for an organ donor: 'It was the beginning of the hardest chapter in our family's life' Opens in new window ] The legislation forbids pressurising a living donor. It prohibits any payment or reward for donating organs, tissues or cells. The Act also provides a framework for donation while alive and will, for the first time, provide a way for people to donate a kidney to someone they do not personally know if they wish to. Why is this legislation being brought in? Similar legislation is already in place in the UK and in many other EU countries. Ireland was an outlier in not having such a law. At any given time, there are hundreds of people in Ireland who are on waiting lists for organ transplants, according to the HSE. Dr Brian O'Brien, national director of the HSE's Organ Donation Transplant Ireland, said not everyone who dies is a potential organ donor. A donor needs to be in hospital and on a life-support machine. All organs donated go to people most in need of a transplant. 'Consent is at the heart of this change,' he says. 'When someone dies, their family must agree to donate their organs. It is important to inform your family and friends about your decision regarding organ donation, as they will always be consulted and your wishes should be central to any decision.' What difference will it make to those in need of an organ donation? There were 263 organ transplants last year from 84 deceased and 30 living organ donors. At any time, there are between 500 and 600 people on the transplant waiting lists. It is hoped that waiting lists will come down as a result of this initiative and lives will be saved. HSE chief clinical officer Dr Colm Henry said: 'The opt-out organ donation system will bring us in line with international best practice. Organ transplantation is one of the great advances in modern medicine.'
BBC News
06-06-2025
- BBC News
Police investigation after man dies in Slough street
Police have launched an investigation after the "unexplained" death of a man found injured on a Slough were called to Furnival Avenue in the Berkshire town just before 16:20 BST on Valley Police said first aid was provided to a man in his 30s, but he died at the scene. The force asked any witnesses to get in investigator Det Insp Liam Butler said the circumstances of the incident were "not yet ascertained". "As such, we are investigating on behalf of the Coroner," he said."Although formal identification has not been confirmed, the man's next of kin are aware, and our thoughts are with them at this difficult time." You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
BBC News
11-05-2025
- BBC News
Body found after search for missing swimmer in loch
The body of a 42-year-old man has been recovered at Loch Ard in the received a report about 21:00 on Saturday that that a man who was swimming in the loch had gone missing. Extensive searches were carried out by the dive and marine unit along with the Mountain Rescue Team and air support man's body was recovered early on Sunday afternoon. Police Scotland said the his next of kin have been made are not believed to be any suspicious circumstances surrounding the death and a report will be sent to the procurator Ard is in the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park near Aberfoyle and is a popular destination for swimmers, kayakers and water skiers.
BBC News
09-05-2025
- BBC News
Investigation as man found dead near offshore wind farm
The death of a man whose body was found close to an offshore wind farm is being treated as unexplained, police have man's body was recovered from the water near Burbo Wind Farm, off the coast of Wirral by HM Coastguard at about 18:40 BST on Wednesday, Merseyside Police man's next of kin has been informed and are being supported by specially trained officers, a force representative said, adding:"Inquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances into the death, which is currently being treated as unexplained." Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
The Sun
08-05-2025
- The Sun
Mystery as body of man found at offshore wind farm as cops probe ‘unexplained' death
A MAN has been found dead at an offshore wind farm as cops launch an urgent probe. Police were called to New Brighton, off the Sussex coast, yesterday evening. A police spokesperson said: "Officers were called to New Brighton yesterday evening on Wednesday 7 May following the unexplained death of a man. "At around 6.40pm, we received a report from HM Coastguard that a man was sadly pronounced deceased off New Brighton near Burbo Wind Farm. "Inquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances into the death, which is currently being treated as unexplained. "The next-of-kin have been informed and being supported by specially trained officers. If you have any information that could assist the investigation, you can call 101 quoting log number 878 of May 7. You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111." 1
