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# Channel Islands lag behind UK in organ donor registrations
- URL: https://www.thequarry.media/channel-islands-lag-behind-uk-in-organ-donor-registrations/
- Published: 2026-09-22T15:05:06.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-22T15:05:05.000Z
- Author: The Quarry
- Tags: News

- Only 18% of Channel Islands residents have registered as organ donors, compared to 43% in the UK
- The Bailiwick of Guernsey adopted an 'opt-out' system for organ donation in 2023
- Health & Social Care emphasises the importance of explicitly registering donation decisions on the NHS Organ Donor Register
- Families are always consulted before organ donation proceeds, making prior conversations about wishes crucial
- One donor can potentially save or improve the lives of up to nine people

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Just 18% of the Channel Islands' population have consented to donating some or all of their organs through the NHS Organ Donor Register, compared to 43% in the UK, recent figures show.

Health & Social Care (HSC) is working to promote the importance of signing up to the national Organ Donor Register and speaking with family and friends about donation decisions as part of Organ Donation Week 2026.

In 2023, the Bailiwick of Guernsey adopted an 'opt-out' system as the legal consent mechanism for organ donation. This means that unless individuals have formally registered that they do not want to donate their organs after death, there will be a legal presumption in favour of organ donation — referred to as deemed consent.

However, HSC is emphasising that it is still important for individuals to explicitly share their choices via the national NHS Organ Donor Register, should they pass away in circumstances that make organ donation possible. This keeps their decisions marked on a secure digital record that health professionals across the nation can see.

John Eaton, Interim Chair of the Organ Donation Committee, said: "This Organ Donation Week, we'd like to raise awareness of the NHS Organ Donor Register and encourage islanders to record their decision.

"While most people do not pass away in ways that always allow organ donation to go ahead, choosing to donate some or all of your organs gives hope to everyone on the transplant waiting list that their life can be saved or improved.

"Completing the online registration form is easy and makes it clear to health workers what your decisions are. Once registered, speaking to friends and family about these decisions is just as important, so they can reflect these wishes to healthcare workers when the time comes as families are always consulted before organ donation can happen.

"Opting-in to organ donation has the potential to save or improve the lives of up to nine people."

Dr Graham Beck, Intensive Care Consultant at the Medical Specialist Group and Clinical Lead for Organ Donation, said: "Very few people pass away in circumstances where organ donation is possible, so when the opportunity does arise it matters enormously that we get it right. Before any donation goes ahead, we sit down with the family, and those conversations are far easier when relatives already know what their loved one wanted.

"Taking two minutes to record your decision on the register, and mentioning it at home, lifts a heavy burden from your family at the worst moment of their lives, and could save the lives of people you will never meet."

Individuals can register their decision to donate all, some, or none of their organs and tissue via the NHS Organ Donation website. Decisions can be updated at any time via the same link.

For more information, visit [gov.gg/organdonation](https://gov.gg/organdonation?ref=thequarry.media).

## Q&A

**Q: What is the organ donor registration rate in the Channel Islands?**  
A: Just 18% of the Channel Islands' population have consented to donating some or all of their organs through the NHS Organ Donor Register, compared to 43% in the UK.

**Q: When did Guernsey adopt the 'opt-out' system for organ donation?**  
A: The Bailiwick of Guernsey adopted an 'opt-out' system as the legal consent mechanism for organ donation in 2023, meaning there is a legal presumption in favour of organ donation unless individuals have formally registered otherwise.

**Q: How many lives can one organ donor potentially save or improve?**  
A: According to the Organ Donation Committee, opting-in to organ donation has the potential to save or improve the lives of up to nine people.