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Number of organ donors reaches record high

Published 10 Apr 2018

Number of organ donors reaches record high

More than 1,500 people in the UK donated their organs after they died last year – the highest number ever recorded – figures from NHS Blood and Transplant show.

In the financial year 2017/18 there were 1,575 deceased donors during - an 11% increase on the previous financial year. There were 162 more deceased donors than the previous year, the highest year on year increase in 28 years.

Sally Johnson, NHS Blood and Transplant director of Organ Donation and Transplantation, said: “The increase in donations and transplants is made possible thanks to the generosity of donors and their families. It also reflects the hard work of all the NHS staff who make this incredible service possible. This year we asked clinicians to miss no opportunity to make a transplant happen and despite the pressures on the NHS they’ve responded magnificently.”

Fewer than 5,000 people per year die in circumstances where organ donation is possible.

“Our clinical leaders and specialist nurses have worked hard to reduce the number of missed referral opportunities by 28% this year. Now, 99% of potential donors through brain death are referred to us, and 89% of potential donors through circulatory death are referred to us,” she said.

“We need to stress that the deadly shortage of organ donors remains. Around three people who could benefit from a donated organ still die a day.”

She urged the public to tell their family that they are willing to donate and to join the NHS Organ Donor Register.

Around 24 million people are on the NHS Organ Donor Register.

Wales moved to a deemed consent ‘opt-out’ system in 2015, and both England and Scotland are planning similar legislation following consultations. Northern Ireland has confirmed that it will not be changing to an ‘opt-out’ system.

13 comments


mjteddy
on 23/04/2018

What about people who have been on loads of medication including steroid inhalers for years and diabetics are these banned from donating.


avatar
Unregistered member
on 23/04/2018

No one is banned from donating. If you die in hospital and if your relatives inform the hospital that you wished to be an organ donor, they will get your history of health from the medical staff of the hospital, and they will decide if your organs would be suitable to donate. if you are a diabetic or Asthmatic and on several steroid medication, there is no reason why your Liver or Pancreas or heart can not be donated if those, or any of your organs that are not affected by your diagnosis, would be considered suitable for donation. A thorough medical history will be provided by the hospital, and the Medics will advise the Organ Donation team which organs would be suitable for donating.

Hope this is helpful. Why not ring the Organ Donation line yourself to find out all about it. Their number is 0300 123 23 23

Christina


lesmal • Ambassador
on 24/04/2018

@mjteddy‍ I agree with Christina above also... I don't see why they can't use healthy organs i.e. depending on one's medical history, to bring life and medical care to others.

Thank you for bringing up this point.

Les

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