Brain Death

Summary

The requester asked Manx Care for detailed protocols on brain death determination, organ donation statistics since 2011, and clinical procedures for organ retrieval. Manx Care responded that specific clinical guidance is already publicly accessible via an NHS link and provided a form regarding patient care, citing Section 20 of the Act to withhold the detailed information requested.

Key Facts

• Manx Care determined that the requested information on brain death diagnosis and clinical management is already reasonably accessible to the public.
• The authority directed the requester to the NHS Organ Donation and Transplantation website for best practice guidance on donation after brainstem death.
• A document titled 'Frm7261' was attached to the response to explain the care of patients after death.
• The response was issued on 16 February 2026 regarding a request received on 26 January 2026.
• The authority invoked Section 20 of the Freedom of Information Act to avoid providing information that is already available.

Data Disclosed

• 26 January 2026
• 16 February 2026
• 11th October 2011
• Section 20
• Frm7261
• https://www.odt.nhs.uk/deceased-donation/best-practice-guidance/donation-after-brainstem-death/

Exemptions Cited

• Section 20 of the Act (Information already reasonably accessible)

Original Request

1. Please can you confirm how Manx Care determines if a patient is brain dead in order that their organ's can be procured, what specific tests are undertaken and which ones are legally required to rule a patient brain dead.2. Please can you show any changes there have been to this definition of brain death from 11th October 2011?3. Please can you confirm how many Isle of Man based patients have been declared brain dead become organ donors from 11th October 2011, year by year.4. Please can you confirm if Isle of Man based patients that are organ donors have their organs removed here on island or if not where the patient is taken for the organ removal procedure?5. If removal is performed on Island please can you confirm:-5a. What drugs would typically be administered to a brain dead patient before and during the procedure?5b. Specifically are any sedatives ever used or are routinely used during the procedure?5c. Is an anaesthetist present at the beginning of the procedure?5d. Is an anaesthetist present during the procedure?5e. Is an anaesthetist present at the end of the procedure? At what point do they typically leave?6. Please can you confirm briefly explain the potential effects of 10 minutes of no oxygen / breathing to the human body?7. Please can you confirm the Organs which would typically be removed from a 25 year old donor, how this would occur and in what order would the Organs / body parts be removed and would the heart / blood / respiratory system and circulatory systems be kept artificially pumping during this procedure? Would the heart be kept pumping would it be one of the last things to be taken?8. Please can you confirm what organs have been donated by Isle of Man based patients from 11th October 2011, year by year.9. Please can you confirm what organs have been received via organ donations by Isle of Man based patients from 11th October 2011, year by year.10. Would the time of death be certified before or after the organ donation retrieval process by the doctor?11. If a patient is not an organ donor then what happens if the family decide to remove a brain dead patient from a ventilator?12. Are patients who are considered brain dead and ventilated given nutrients / tube feeding?13. Are patients that are considered brain dead on a ventilator administered sedative drugs?Thank you

Thank you