The Act – an Overview Part 1: Transplantation Etc. Section 6 – Authorisation: adult
9.Subsection (1) makes clear the adult’s power to authorise the removal and use of a part of the adult’s own body after death for one or more of the purposes specified in section 3(1) (transplantation, research, education or training or audit). Subsection (2) provides that such authorisation may be in writing or can be given verbally, thus ensuring that an adult can express authorisation for transplantation over the telephone. Authorisation can be withdrawn, but the withdrawal must be in writing. Subsection (3) provides that if the adult is blind or unable to write, such written withdrawal may be signed by another adult on behalf of the adult who is unable to write. If it is so signed, it must be witnessed by one witness. Subsection (4) provides that withdrawal of authorisation by virtue of subsection (3) must contain a statement signed by both the signatory and the witness that the person who is blind or unable to write expressed his or her intention to withdraw the authorisation and requested the signatory to sign the withdrawal on his or her behalf. Subsection (5) provides that nothing in subsection (3) prevents an adult who is blind from withdrawing authorisation in accordance with paragraph (b) of subsection (2). Subsection (6) provides that for authorisation in writing under section 6(2)(a)(i), "writing" includes representation of a character in visible form. The effect of this provision is that authorisation provided via the NHS Organ Donor Register, Organ Donor cards or any other method of tick box authorisation will come within the scope of authorisation by the adult “in writing” for the purposes of section 6(2)(a)(i).