Gosport MP Caroline Dinenage has welcomed the news that the landmark Organ Donor (Deemed Consent) Bill, commonly known as Max and Keira’s Law, has cleared the final hurdle in Parliament.
This week the Bill has passed the Consideration of Amendments, meaning it is waiting on the formality of Royal Assent before it becomes law. The Bill makes amendments to the Human Tissue Act 2004, changing the law so that organs are presumed to have consent for exclusively transplant surgery unless you ‘opt out.’ Currently, there is a voluntary opt-in scheme.
The Bill has the potential to save up to 700 lives a year and has been known as Max and Kiera’s Law after Max received a heart transplant from Kiera who was involved in a car accident.
Caroline commented:
“Organ donation is something that I have long campaigned for when I first hosted an event for young Luis Gonçalves from Gosport in Parliament in 2013 - he was promoting the ‘Pass It On’ campaign. I was moved by his bravery as he had a kidney transplant from his father. There are currently around 6000 people on the transplant waiting list, with more than 400 patients in 2017 dying while waiting for a suitable organ. This should bring an extra 280 donors and 700 more transplants a year for those who desperately need it, like Luis, Max and Keira. I thrilled that this can finally come into effect.”