HAMPSHIRE families are being urged to talk about organ donation ahead of law change set for next year.

From spring 2020, the law around organ and tissue donation in England is changing.

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 donate or fall into an excluded group.

Last year, a record number of people donated organs in the UK, with 1,600 lives saved.

However, fewer people died in circumstances where they were able to donate their organs, meaning it is more important than ever that every person who wants and is able to donate their organs after death is given the opportunity to do so.

Anthony Clarkson, director of organ donation and transplantation at NHS Blood and Transplant, said: “We’re incredibly grateful to all the courageous donors and their families across the country, who helped us to save so many lives last year.

“Organ donation is the only hope for many desperately ill people. We know many families feel a sense of pride and comfort from their decision to let their final act to be saving lives through organ donation.

“There are 162 people in Hampshire waiting for a transplant now. Their only hope for a new life is that a family in their time of grief will make the wonderful decision to agree to organ donation.

"With the law around organ donation changing in England from next spring, we urge everyone to find out about the choices available to them, make their decision and share it with their family.”