FAMILIES are being urged to talk about organ donation as a change in the law gives a presumption of consent in the event of the worst happening.
New figures published by NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) show that last year (2019/20) 1,580 people in the UK donated their organs after they died.
In Worcestershire, 19 people gave the gift of life, by donating their organs after death.
The national deceased organ donor figures were on course to surpass the previous year’s total, until the Covid-19 pandemic hit in March, leading to wide-reaching impact across the whole NHS.
The high number of organ donors last year allowed 3,760 patients to have the organ transplant they needed, including 29 people in Worcestershire.
There are currently more than 6,000 people in need of a transplant in the UK, 43 of these living in the county.
Sadly, in Worcestershire in the last five years, 20 people died before they received the organ they desperately needed.
England moved to an opt out system on May 20, 2020 – giving a presumption of consent – and it is hoped public support for organ donation will continue to improve.
Anthony Clarkson, director of Organ Donation and Transplantation at NHS Blood and Transplant, said: “Amazing organ donors and their families make life-saving transplants possible, by giving their support and saying ‘yes’ to organ donation.
“As we learn to live with Covid-19 and boosted by the new law and growing public support, we hope more lives than ever can be saved. I urge everyone in Worcestershire to make their organ donation decision and tell their family about it.”
It’s still your choice whether or not you want to donate your organs. To find out more, and register a decision, visit www.organdonation.nhs.uk – and tell your family.
