By NHS Organ Donation Week
As part of Organ Donation Week – which runs from September 20 to 26 – specialist NHS staff are asking the public to leave family members certain about donation decisions.
As of March 2021, there were 4,256 people on the transplant list across the UK.
Sadly, 474 people died between April 2020 and March 2021.
Last year, staff at Scunthorpe and Grimsby hospitals supported six families to leave a positive legacy after the death of their loved one, meaning 12 families were given the chance of a healthier and happier future.
The law around organ donation changed in England in May 2020, meaning unless they record a decision not to donate, are in one of the excluded groups or have told their family that they don’t want to donate all adults are now considered as having agreed to donate their own organs.
However, relatives will still always be consulted before donation goes ahead and each year, opportunities for transplants are missed because families aren’t sure what to do.
This year, organ donation has been added to the National Curriculum for the first time, encouraging family members to get together and talk about their own organ donation decisions.
Consultant anaesthetist Dr Shan Dharmarajah said: “Knowing what your relative wanted, helps families support their decision around organ donation at what is often a difficult time.
“We need more people in Scunthorpe, Grimsby and Goole to talk with their loved ones about organ donation to give them the certainty they need to support their organ donation decision.”
Anthony Clarkson, director of organ and tissue donation and transplantation for NHS Blood and Transplant said: “We are very grateful to Scunthorpe, Grimsby and Goole hospitals for their support during Organ Donation Week.
“Even now the law has changed, families will continue to be approached before donation goes ahead. It remains so important to talk to your families and ensure they know what you would want to happen.
“Register your 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 conversation much easier if they already know what their relative wanted.”
To find out more and register your decision, visit the NHS Organ Donor Register here and share your decision with your family. Users of the NHS app, can also use this to record, check or amend their details or decision.
