More than 200 people (217) have died waiting for an organ transplant in Wales over the past ten years because they didn’t receive the lifesaving organs they desperately needed in time, new figures reveal.
Figures released by NHS Blood and Transplant to mark Organ Donation Week show that 4,900 people in the whole of the UK died while actively waiting for a lifesaving transplant, and a further 7,700 were removed from the active list after being deemed too sick to receive one, with many dying soon after – highlighting the urgent need to increase organ donation registrations.
Earlier this year, NHSBT revealed the transplant waiting list had reached its highest level ever recorded with 8,000 people actively waiting for a lifesaving transplant – 338 of those in Wales.
“Someone will die today waiting for an organ transplant,” said Anthony Clarkson, Director of Organ Donation and Transplantation at NHS Blood and Transplant. “You are more likely to need a transplant than you ever are to be a donor – and most of us would accept an organ if we needed one – but far fewer of us have made the decision to donate. By confirming your decision on the NHS Organ Donor Register, you could save or transform up to nine lives.”
Despite the challenges, there has been promising progress: more than 44,000 lives have been saved or improved through deceased and living donor organ transplants in the past decade. But with thousands still waiting, NHSBT is urging people to take just two minutes today to confirm their decision to be an organ donor.
Anthony Clarkson, Director of Organ Donation and Transplantation at NHS Blood and Transplant added:
“It’s really concerning to see the numbers of people waiting for a transplant slowly rising and people are dying needlessly every day because of the shortage of organs for transplant. We really need people who want to be a donor after they die to make it clear to their families and encourage them to support that decision.
“Last year, 90% of UK families honoured their loved one’s decision to become a donor when they had recorded their decision on the NHS Organ Donor Register, which made those conversations with families so much easier. People are far more likely to support donation when they know it’s what their relative wanted.
“I would urge everyone in Wales who supports organ donation to register their decision and make it clear that it’s what you want should the worst happen. It only takes 2 minutes to register but it could save the lives of people who so desperately need a transplant. Please sign up. It’s the best thing you’ll do today.”
Last year, 173 UK families overruled their relative’s registered or expressed decision to donate. In a further 520 cases, families did not support donation where the law presumes consent – meaning their loved one had not registered to opt out but also hadn’t expressed any decision. This means thousands of missed opportunities for people to receive a lifesaving transplant.
Under the ‘opt-out’ system donation can still only go ahead with the family’s support, which is why it remains so important to have the conversation and leave your loved ones certain of your decision.
To find out more, and confirm your support for organ donation, visit: www.organdonation.nhs.uk, call 0300 123 23 23
