More than 150 lives saved thanks to Nottingham donors

MORE than 150 people received life-saving organ transplants courtesy of donors from Nottingham in the past year. As part of Organ Donation Week, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust (NUH) is encouraging people to talk to their families about organ donation and increase the number of people whose lives can be saved or transformed by an organ transplant.

Outside of London, the city of Nottingham has the highest number of donors in the UK with 63 families consenting to their loved ones becoming an organ donor. This resulted in 48 donors proceeded to become a donor and ensured at more than 150 people received lifesaving organ transplants.

Dr Dale Gardiner, Critical Care Consultant at NUH and National Clinical Lead for Organ Donation, said: “We need more people in Nottingham to talk about organ donation to increase the number of lifesaving transplants.

“While most people agree that it is important to talk to their family about organ donation, it is less likely that they will have actually had this important conversation.

“Sadly, many opportunities are lost every year because families don’t know if their loved one wanted to be a donor or not. Please don’t wait. Speak to your family about organ donation today.”

Next year, the law around Organ Donation is changing in England. From spring 2020, all adults in England will be considered as having agreed to donate their own organs when they die unless they record a decision not to donate or are in one of the excluded groups.

In the lead up to the change in law, NHS Blood and Transplant is urging families across England to talk about their organ donation decision, with the campaign message ‘Pass it on’. Even after the law has changed, families will continue to be approached before organ donation goes ahead. Knowing what their relatives want helps families support their decision at a difficult time.

Anthony Clarkson, Director of Organ Donation and Transplantation for NHS Blood and Transplant said: “We are very grateful to Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust for its support during Organ Donation Week.

“Even after the law around organ donation changes next year, families will still be approached before organ donation goes ahead. So it remains so important to talk to your families about your views.

“Register your organ donation decision on the NHS Organ Donor Register and tell your family the choice you have made. If the time comes, we know families find the organ donation conversation with nurses or medical teams much easier if they already know what their relative wanted.”

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.