Organ donation opt-out law to be in place in 2026

An organ donation "opt-out" system could be introduced on the Isle of Man from 1 January.

Tynwald will be asked next month to formally approve the secondary legislation that is required for The Human Tissue and Organ Donation Act, which was given Royal Assent in July 2021, to be introduced.

The legislation is known as Daniel's Law, in memory of 15-year-old Daniel Boyde, whose organs were donated following his death in a car crash near Ramsey in 2007.

His mother Diane Taylor said it would be "a lasting legacy for a young man who would do anything to help anyone - and in death, saved four lives".

The decision to donate organs on the Isle of Man has always been based upon an "opt-in" system, which means that potential tissue and organ donors have to register their interest and consent.

Changing to an "opt out" system would see adults be presumed to have given their consent unless they had registered their opposition.

Families would continue to be consulted on any decision to donate organs.

Tynwald's July sitting will consider eight codes of practice and six pieces of secondary legislation.

Members will consider the principle of consent and proposed procedures for storing and disposing of tissue and organs after post-mortem examinations.

Manx residents have also been urged to continue to register their decision on the NHS Organ Donor Register.

Cabinet Office Minister David Ashford said next month's Tynwald session was an "important step forward" which would "pave the way for full implementation" of the opt-out system from 1 January 2026.

Ms Taylor, who campaigned for the change, said before Daniel's death "we never thought about needing a life-saving transplant, and yet every day someone dies waiting for one".

She added: "While we are sure Daniel would have wanted to help others, I wish we had talked about it more so I could say 100% yes.

"The 'opt-out' law doesn't take away choice - it encourages you to make your decision, share it with your loved ones, and let them honour your final wishes.

'I am incredibly proud that the law is named after him, and I know that the rest of Daniel's family, along with everyone who knew him, feels the same."

Public Health Isle of Man said there would be a public awareness campaign before the introduction of licensing and training for the new system.

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