DONATING A BODY OR ORGANS

Some bereaved people are too upset when a person has just died to want to discuss donating the body for medical research or organ transplants. Indeed they may well take umbrage if the subject is mooted.

Personally, I would be delighted if parts of my body could be used to alleviate suffering or prolong the life of someone else after I am gone. With this end in view I carry an organ donor card and am registered with the Organ Donor Register of the NHS Blood and Transplant agency.

If the deceased has expressed a wish to donate their organs or body, the usual procedure is for the hospital to approach the next of kin to ensure they have no objections. Unfortunately, decisions have to be made in what you may regard as indecent haste, before the organs start to deteriorate, and signatures will be required giving consent. In the case of organ removal the body will be returned to the next of kin for burial after the organs have been removed. Normally organs are not taken for transplants if the donor is over 75.

If the body is to be used for medical research, the medical school in question may keep a whole body for teaching purposes for up to three years. After this time they will arrange and pay for a simple burial or release the body to the relatives. However, if the body is unsuitable, the authorities may turn down the offer.