NHS calls for Notts families to talk about organ donation
The NHS are calling on Notts families to talk about organ donation in time for a law change.
Organ donor figures across the UK are at their highest ever but with people dying before they can donate – families are being urged to make a decision.
The law change means adults in England will be considered as having agreed to donate their organs when they die unless they record a final decision or are in an excluded group*.
Nationally there was a record number of organ donors over the last year, with 1,600 people saving lives through deceased organ donation.
But a report also revealed fewer people across the UK died in circumstances where they were able to donate their organs – 225 fewer than in 2017-18.
In the last five years the number of individuals in Nottinghamshire who have given the gift of life is 18, however, 30 people have died before receiving an organ, according to the Organ Donation and Transplantation Activity Report 2018-19.
Now, the NHS is calling for families to have the donation conversation and say it is more important than ever to do so.
"We’re incredibly grateful to all the courageous donors and their families across the country, who helped us to save so many lives last year," said Anthony Clarkson, director of organ donation and transplantation at NHS Blood and Transplant.
"Organ donation is the only hope for many desperately ill people. We know many families feel a sense of pride and comfort from their decision to let their final act to be saving lives through organ donation."
Donating organs is a relatively rare event in the UK – because although around half a million people die each year – only 1% do so in circumstances allowing organ donation.
But the NHS describe donation as a precious gift and adults covered by the change will still have a choice with the soon to come law change as to whether they wish to have their organ harvested.
Mr Clarkson explained there are currently 89 people in Nottinghamshire currently waiting for a transplant, adding no life-saving transplant would be possible without the generosity of donors and their families.
He said: "With the law around organ donation changing in England from next spring, we urge everyone to find out about the choices available to them, make their decision and share it with their family.”
As families of potential donors will still be approached by nurses and asked to support their relative's decision, the NHS say it is important to know what a relative wants to happen before death – to prevent any distress to the family.
*Groups excluded include:
- Those under 18
- People lacking mental capacity
- Visitors to England
- People not living here voluntarily
- People who have lived in England for less than 12 months before their death
If you would like to help others after your death, tell your family you wish to be an organ donor and join the NHS Organ Donor Register.
Please register your decision by visiting NHS Organ Donor Register and ensure you tell your family: www.organdonation.nhs.uk
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