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Organ Donation



Every so often, the desperate need for organ donors is highlighted in the national press and this difficult subject is brought to the nation's attention. Once again, it is a very personal decision, but certainly one you should discuss with your immediate family, and at least make your views known.

NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) was established as a Special Health Authority in England and Wales in October 2005 with responsibilities across the United Kingdom in relation to organ transplantation.  Its remit is to provide a reliable, efficient supply of blood, organs and associated services to the NHS.

There are currently just over 14 million registered organ donors in the UK (23% of the population) who have said they want to help others live after their death by joining the NHS Organ Donor Register.   UK Transplant has unveiled plans to increase organ transplant numbers to new levels as part of the NHSBT's strategy. 

The generosity of donors and their families enables nearly 3,000 people inthe UK every year to take on a new lease of life.  It is now possible to use all the major organs (heart, kidneys, lungs, liver, pancreas and small bowel) in transplantation and so one donor is able to help many other people.

Cornea transplantation is one of medicine's big success stories and is one of the most commonly performed transplant operations with a very good  success rate, helping more than 2,000 blind and partially-sighted people.  However, the shortage of donated corneas means that many more people could be given the opportunity to see again if there were more donors.
  • If the death happened in hospital, staff may ask for permission to use organs for transplantation. Many people find such an approach difficult in the early stages of bereavement but organs have to be removed very soon after death.
  • Other organs such as corneas and heart valves can be removed anything up to 72 hours after death.
  • If death occurs at home or somewhere other than a hospital, organs other than the corneas cannot usually be used
  • Organs will not be removed without the consent of the relatives, which is why it is worthwhile making your wishes known beforehand. This also helps save relatives from the distress of making a decision without the relevant information.

The national donor register is designed to help hospitals identify and approach grieving families. When transplant teams know the intentions of the deceased, only one per cent of families refuse to allow organs to be taken, compared to 30 per cent when intentions are not known. Apparently, the national donor register was only searched 20 times last year by hospitals, which is another reason for the Governments initiative.

Contact www.uktransplant.org.uk and sign up on line to the NHS Organ Donor Register or contact 0845 60 60 400 and discuss your wishes with your relatives if you do wish to donate your organs.

UK Transplant,
Communications Directorate,
Fox Den Road,
Stoke Gifford.
Bristol BS34 8RR
enquiries@uktransplant.nhs.uk
Tel: 0117 975 7575  Fax; 0117 975 7577


You can also find further information at BODY, the British Organ Donor Society at http://body.orpheusweb.co.uk/ and www.nhs.uk 
The UK National Kidney Federation is run by and for kidney donors at www.kidney.org.uk

The Live Life Then Give Life campaign has been created to raise awareness of organ donation and the chronic lack of organ donors in the UK.  It aims to encourage people to show their support for organ donation by wearing one of two tee shirts that have been produced especially for the campaign - www.livelifethengivelife.co.uk

To donate blood, please call The National Blood Service on 0845 7 711 711 or visit www.blood.co.uk
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