NHS Blood and Transplant and DBTH have released the figures to mark the publication of the annual Organ Donation and Transplantation Activity Report.
The annual report shows deceased organ donation in the UK increased by 18% last year thanks to the continuing recovery of organ donation and transplant activity following the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic. 1,397 people in total donated their organs after death last year, including two at DBTH, helping to save or improve the lives of five local people
Despite this, the number of people being listed for a transplant has increased, due to most being suspended during the height of the pandemic and, subsequently, others needing a transplant being added to the list. There are currently 6,393 people on the active waiting list and a further 3,990 temporarily suspended.
Emma Galloway, Deputy Divisional Director of Nursing for Clinical Specialities (which covers the department of critical care) at DBTH, said: “I would like to thank all the consented donors, as well as their families, who agreed to help improve the lives of those who desperately need it. Their generosity plays a vital role in our efforts to continue to help those who need lifesaving transplants, and we would like to encourage more people in the Doncaster and Bassetlaw area to sign up to donate.
“Please register your organ donation decision and tell your family. Letting your family know what you want to happen when you die will make it much easier if there comes a time when organ donation is a possibility.”
Anthony Clarkson, Director of Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplantation, at NHS Blood and Transplant, said: “Organ donation and transplantation is a fundamental part of the NHS work to save lives. This is shown by the increase in the number of patients this year receiving transplants and the number of those who are continually registering their decision to be an organ donor.
“The fact that 1,397 people saved the lives of others last year through deceased organ donation is wonderful, especially given the fact that the number of families agreeing to donation when they were approached last year than fell by 3% on the year before. We still need families to support their loved one’s decision and agree to donation when approached if they know that’s what they wanted.
“We need to work to improve consent/authorisation rates by encouraging people to register their decision and discuss it with their families as organ donation really does save lives.”
Find out more and register your decision by visiting NHS Organ Donor Register at www.organdonation.nhs.uk and share your decision with your family.