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19/09/2023
Families Urged To Talk About Organ Donation Choices
Families are being urged to talk openly about their organ donation wishes and to confirm their donation decision on the NHS Organ Donor Register.
The Public Health Agency (PHA) has made the call to mark Organ Donation Week, a national celebration of organ and tissue donation and transplantation which saves and transforms hundreds of lives each year.
In June this year, Northern Ireland changed to an organ donation opt-out system, which means people need to actively remove themselves from the organ donation register. However, despite this change, the PHA has said that it "remains very important" for people to talk about their organ donation decision with family, and to register their decision on the NHS Organ Donor Register.
In Northern Ireland in 2022/23 there were 59 deceased donors who enabled 140 lifesaving transplants across the UK, and 68 living donors who gave the gift of life to a further 59 patients. In total, 155 patients in Northern Ireland received a deceased or living donor transplant, helping to give them the gift of life.
In the year to 31 August 2023 there have been 23 deceased donors who have enabled 61 transplants to take place.
54% of people in Northern Ireland have registered as an organ donor on the NHS Organ Donor Register, however initiatives like Organ Donation Week are an important opportunity to raise more awareness.
Aidan Dawson, Chief Executive of the Public Health Agency said: "Family conversations around organ donation are so important to ensure they know what you would want to happen. Even though the law around organ donation has changed to an opt out system, family members continue to be consulted before organ donation goes ahead. This means it is important to let your family know what you want as it can help them support their loves one’s decision.
"We also urge people to proactively confirm any decision to be an organ donor on the NHS Organ Donor Register, as this provides families with further reassurance as to your donation decision."
The Public Health Agency (PHA) has made the call to mark Organ Donation Week, a national celebration of organ and tissue donation and transplantation which saves and transforms hundreds of lives each year.
In June this year, Northern Ireland changed to an organ donation opt-out system, which means people need to actively remove themselves from the organ donation register. However, despite this change, the PHA has said that it "remains very important" for people to talk about their organ donation decision with family, and to register their decision on the NHS Organ Donor Register.
In Northern Ireland in 2022/23 there were 59 deceased donors who enabled 140 lifesaving transplants across the UK, and 68 living donors who gave the gift of life to a further 59 patients. In total, 155 patients in Northern Ireland received a deceased or living donor transplant, helping to give them the gift of life.
In the year to 31 August 2023 there have been 23 deceased donors who have enabled 61 transplants to take place.
54% of people in Northern Ireland have registered as an organ donor on the NHS Organ Donor Register, however initiatives like Organ Donation Week are an important opportunity to raise more awareness.
Aidan Dawson, Chief Executive of the Public Health Agency said: "Family conversations around organ donation are so important to ensure they know what you would want to happen. Even though the law around organ donation has changed to an opt out system, family members continue to be consulted before organ donation goes ahead. This means it is important to let your family know what you want as it can help them support their loves one’s decision.
"We also urge people to proactively confirm any decision to be an organ donor on the NHS Organ Donor Register, as this provides families with further reassurance as to your donation decision."
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