A patient who received a kidney transplant has visited a school in Barnet to discuss the change in law for organ donation.

From Spring 2020, all adults will be considered to have agreed to be an organ donor when they die unless they “opt out”. This means they have recorded a decision not to donate or are in one of the excluded groups.

Kirit Modi, who works closely with the Royal Free Hospital Organ Donation Committee, spoke about his experience of transplantation and what the change in the law will mean to students at Queen Elizabeth’s Girls’ School.

Mr Modi said: “We need more organ donors to help save lives and the new law enables us to trigger discussion within families about organ donation.

“I am hugely reassured by the positive attitude to organ donation among the general population, and young people in particular. It was a pleasure to have this conversation at the school and I hope that other schools will consider arranging similar events.”

Four speakers - Peter Ware, Alice Workman, Helen Foley, along with Mr Modi - explained the organ donation process and the change in law during special assemblies given to Year 10 and 12 students earlier this month.

Peter Ware, vice-chair of the Royal Free Hospital Organ Donation Committee, said: “This was a great opportunity to share the organ donation message with both staff and pupils.

“Support is on the increase overall and will help the country reach a situation where no one need die for the want of a transplant”.

Violet Walker, headteacher at Queen Elizabeth’s Girls’ School, felt the work of the Royal Free Hospital Organ Donation Committee was “valuable” and was happy to support them.

She said: “The messages shared with students and staff were important, thought-provoking and emotive.

“I was proud that all them were received with an intelligent response.”