A NEW law is being introduced which will mean that adults over the age of 18 will automatically be on the organ donor register, unless people ‘opt out.’

Subject to parliamentary approval, the Government announced Max and Keira’s Law – the Organ Donation (Deemed Consent) Act – will come into effect on the 20 May 2020.

All adults in England will be considered to have agreed to be organ donors when they die, unless they have recorded a decision not to donate or are in one of the excluded groups.

Those excluded will be people under 18, those who lack the mental capacity to understand the new arrangements and take the necessary action; and people who have lived in England for less than 12 months or who are not living here voluntarily.

The news has been welcomed by kidney transplant recipients Daymon Johnstone, 29, from Seaton and Paul Caine, 57, from Workington.

Daymon, who had the transplant just before his sixth birthday, described the change in law as: “A massive milestone in British history” but stressed the importance that loved ones get the final say and said people should sit down and talk about organ donation.

For Daymon receiving the donor kidney made the difference between life or death for him. He said: “I probably wouldn’t be here today or do the job that I really enjoy doing, or be able to drive. I wouldn’t have survived through school to be honest.”

Having his transplant has enabled Daymon to take part in the British, European and world transplant games. He is currently fundraising to self-finance the £2,500 necessary to enable him to compete in the next British and European games in July. Amazingly this will be his 22nd British games. Anyone that would like to help support him can go to Daymon’s just giving page.

Paul has spent over 30 years campaigning for the change and feels the new law is long overdue. He said: “It is most welcome and going to make a big difference in the UK. We are heading to a fairer, safer, more uniformed system which will be much better than the card system. It's ground breaking and is going to save lives.

“It will be a big step change. At the moment some people do opt in, some think it’s a good idea then don’t opt in. It’s a bit of a grey area. If people think it’s a bad idea they can opt out.”

He also reiterated the importance of talking to family about the options adding: “People are more likely to have the conversation with loved ones when the law comes in.”

He feels this will be better for families as they will know their loved ones wishes.

He added: "MPs have worked hard for this cause, Sue Hayman has been brilliant. If you're unlucky enough to ever need a transplant it will be there, which is absolutely fantastic."