Perceptions and experiences of healthcare professionals of implementing the Organ Donation (Deemed Consent) Act in England during the Covid-19 pandemic.

ABSTRACT:

Context

In May 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, England implemented a 'soft' opt-out system of consent to deceased organ donation. As part of a wider evaluation, this analysis focused on the perceptions of health care professionals, specifically their experiences of implementation.

Methods

Mixed-methods study informed by Normalisation Process Theory, based on two national surveys of health care professionals and interviews, observations and document analysis, across two case study sites. Routine NHS Blood and Transplant's audit data provided context.

Findings

70 interviews with 59 staff and 244 first and 738 second surveys. COVID-19 affected every aspect of implementation. Although supportive in principle, many staff were unconvinced that legislative changes alone w

SUBMITTER: Al-Haboubi M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11786446 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature