HEALTH chiefs in Ayrshire have given their backing to campaign urging people to confirm their organ donation status.

Spearheaded by the Scottish Government, the Don’t Leave Your Loved Ones in Doubt campaign asks that those who do not wish to be donors register their choice with the NHS and their family so that their decision can be respected.

Currently, Scotland has an opt out system for organ donation, which means everyone over the age of 16 is assumed to be willing to donate their organs unless stated otherwise.

William Murray, specialist nurse in organ donation at NHS Ayrshire & Arran, said: “If a loved one dies in circumstances where organ and tissue donation is a possibility, the role of the specialist nurse is to support families through the process.

“If a person has registered their decision on the NHS Organ Donor Register, we share this information with the family to check it was their loved one’s latest view.

"If no decision has been recorded, families are asked if they have any information on their loved one’s views to ensure donation doesn’t proceed if the individual didn’t want it to.

“Organ and tissue donation is an important consideration for anyone but making that decision and sharing it can make it so much easier for your loved ones to ensure it is honoured.”

More than half of Scotland’s population have registered their decision, with only 3 per cent choosing to opt out of donating.

For more information on organ donation and how to officially register your decision, visit www.organdonation.scot.