Organ donation law in Crown dependencies
Organ donation law in Guernsey
Guernsey moved to a deemed consent system for organ and tissue donation 1 January 2023 by implementing the Human Tissue and Transplantation (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Legislation Act (2020). This means you need to 'opt out' of organ and tissue donation if you do not wish to donate organs or tissue.
If you haven’t recorded a decision about organ and tissue donation and you are not in an excluded group, it will be considered that you agree to become an organ donor when you die.
It is important that you make a decision about organ and tissue donation and record this on the NHS Organ Donor Register. Make sure you share your decision with your family, as they will still be consulted about organ and tissue donation.
Get more information on the Government of Guernsey website
Organ donation law in Jersey
In April 2018 the Jersey States Assembly passed legislation that saw the Island move towards a deemed consent system, but with the ability for individuals to ‘opt out’ if they wish. The new legislation took effect on 1st July 2019.
It is important that you make a decision about organ and tissue donation – to be a donor, or not to donate - and record this on the NHS Organ Donor Register. Make sure you share your decision with your family, as they will still be consulted about organ and tissue donation.
Organ donation law on the Isle of Man
The current legislation in the Isle of Man is to opt in to organ and tissue donation, you can do this by joining the NHS Organ Donor Register. You can also record a decision not to be a donor.
In October 2020, Members of the House of Keys unanimously backed the second reading of the Human Tissue and Organ Donation Bill 2020. On 20 July 2021, the Bill received Royal Assent to become an Act, moving the Island one step closer to an opt out led approach to organ donation consent.
Planning is underway to implement the new law, which will not come into force until a commencement date has been set. The Isle of Man will continue to operate an ‘opt in’ consent system until such time.
