A DATE has been set for a new ‘opt out’ organ donation system.

The Government has announced that, subject to Parliamentary approval, the new law relating to organ donation will come into effect on May 20.

Max and Keira’s Law – the Organ Donation (Deemed Consent) Act - is being introduced to increase donation rates across the country and so save more lives.

Once in force all adults in England will be considered as having agreed to donate their own organs when they die unless they record a decision not to or are in one of the ‘excluded’ groups.

Those excluded will include anyone under 18, those who lack the mental capacity to understand the new arrangements, and people who have lived in the country for less than 12 months.

Director of Organ Donation and Transplantation for NHS Blood and Transplant, Anthony Clarkson, said: “We hope the new law encourages more people to record their donation decision and talk about organ donation.

“It is important for people to know that they can do this at any time before or after the law comes into effect, there is no deadline for making your donation decision.

“The majority of people tell us they support organ donation in principle, yet only around 4 in 10 have actually registered their decision.”

To find out more or register your decision to opt in or out visit: www.organdonation.nhs.uk or call 0300 303 2094.