The Public Health Agency encourages people to confirm their decision to save lives this Organ Donation Week

The figures released by NHS Blood and Transplant to mark Organ Donation Week show that in the last ten years, 4,900 people died while actively waiting for a lifesaving transplant, with 44 in Northern Ireland. Additionally, a further 7,700 were removed from the active list after being deemed too sick to receive a transplant, with many dying soon after.  This highlights the urgent need to increase organ donation registrations.

Earlier this year, figures showed the transplant waiting list had reached its highest level ever recorded with 8,000 people in the UK actively waiting for a lifesaving transplant due to a shortage of donated organs.  In the UK there were 100 fewer deceased organ donors last year resulting in a 2 per cent drop in life-saving transplants. 

Speaking about the need for everyone to consider and record their organ donation decision, Public Health Agency Chief Executive Aidan Dawson said:

"In Northern Ireland there are currently 153 people on the transplant waiting list, their life on hold awaiting the call for the gift of life.  While support for organ donation here remains high at 90%, and we have the highest percentage of registrations to the Organ Donor Register in the UK – 59 percent – we still need more people to record decisions and have conversations, to help leave loved ones certain.”

Despite the challenges, there has been promising progress: more than 44,000 lives in the UK have been saved or improved through deceased and living donor organ transplants in the past decade. So far this year (1 April to 31 August), 35 people here have received a lifesaving deceased donor transplant, and 23 receiving a living donor transplant.  But with many still waiting, the Public Health Agency is urging people to take just two minutes today to confirm their decision to be an organ donor.

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt said:

“Organ Donation Week is about small, simple actions that can have a lifesaving impact. I thank every single person who has already signed the Organ Donor Register.

“The introduction of deemed consent, known as Daithi’s Law, in 2023 means that most adults are presumed to have consented to organ donation unless they have explicitly opted out. But it is still important that families know about your decision, as they will always be a part of the donation discussion. That is why signing the register, talking to your family about your decision and sharing the message are really important steps this Organ Donation Week.”

Anthony Clarkson, Director of Organ Donation and Transplantation at NHS Blood and Transplant commented:

“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. By confirming your decision on the NHS Organ Donor Register, you could save or transform up to nine lives.” 

Aidan Dawson continued:

“We really need people who want to be a donor after they die to make it clear to their families.  Last year, 90% of 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 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.”

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.organdonationni.info or call 0300 123 23 23.