Medical Matters: Why organ donation conversations matter


Every year, thousands of lives are saved or transformed thanks to organ and tissue donation.

Yet behind every successful transplant is a conversation - a moment when someone shared their wishes with the people closest to them.

This years’ Organ Donation Week starts on Monday 22 September and continues until Sunday 28 September, and we are asking everyone in Torbay and South Devon to have that conversation. 

It’s simple, it’s powerful, and it could save lives.

While the law in England now operates on an opt-out basis, meaning most adults are considered potential donors unless they’ve registered otherwise, families are still consulted before donation goes ahead. If your loved ones don’t know what you want, they can’t ensure your wishes are honoured. 

That’s why talking matters. A short, honest conversation can give your family clarity and confidence. It can turn uncertainty into action. And it can mean the difference between a missed opportunity and a life saved.

We know these conversations aren’t always easy. Organ donation touches on deeply personal beliefs, emotions, and fears. But it’s precisely because it matters so much that it’s worth talking about.

Start by getting the facts. Visit the NHS Organ Donation website to learn about the process, the law, and what donation involves. Then find a quiet moment—over a cup of tea, during a walk, or while watching the news—and speak from the heart. You don’t need to have all the answers. You just need to share your decision.

In our region, we know that around half of people haven’t registered a decision on the NHS Organ Donor Register. And among those who have, many haven’t spoken to their families. That’s a gap we can close—together.

At Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, we’re proud to support organ donation. We’re also mindful of the emotional journey families go through when donation becomes a possibility. That’s why we’re committed to creating spaces for reflection and remembrance and to honouring those who have given the gift of life through our new organ donation memorial.

But the most important thing you can do isn’t about memorials or ceremonies—it’s about making your wishes known. It’s about giving your family certainty about what you want.

I’m inviting you all to take two minutes to have a conversation that could change everything. Whether you’re for or against donation, your voice matters. Your decision matters. And your family deserves to know.

To learn more or register your decision, visit www.organdonation.nhs.uk. 

Let’s make Torbay and South Devon a place where every family knows what their loved one wanted—and where every opportunity to save a life is embraced.