Over 500 people waiting for organ transplants in the South West
But there's been a 22% increase in people receiving new organs
More than 500 people in the South West are currently waiting for an organ transplant.
Figures from NHS Blood and Transplant show there are over 7,000 on the list across the UK, with 516 of those in our region.
But there's been an increase in people receiving a living or deceased transplant in the last year.
375 patients were given potentially life-saving support in 2022/23 in the South West, compared to 105 the year before - that's a 22% rise.
We're being encouraged to talk about our wished with loved ones, as clinicians warn that opportunities for transplant are still being missed due to families declining to support donation.
Janet's story
Janet Mills, from Bournemouth, died suddenly in September last year after suffering a massive brain haemorrhage and cardiac arrest.
She had joined the NHS Organ Donor Register years earlier and her family knew she wanted to be a donor.
Her brother David Brown said:
“I don’t remember thinking about organ donation, but the doctor very tactfully explained how some good could come out of this awful situation, and her husband Pete’s first response was absolutely, yes.
“It was Janet’s wish - she’d signed the register twenty something years back, so the rest of the family unanimously chimed in with a chorus of positive approval.”
Janet went on to donate her kidneys and liver and at her funeral a small heart of red flowers was placed on top of her coffin to commemorate those who had received her organs, with the words ‘For giving fresh hope, we are all so proud of you’.
David continued:
“In the darkest of times, there can be hope. Knowing that some good could come out of Janet’s death brought great comfort to us during the final hours and the time leading up to the funeral. To be honest, the donation has helped with the grief. We have this image in our mind of somebody waiting for a kidney who has been through hell the last couple of years suddenly being able to lead a normal life again, and that is a good feeling.”
Last year (2022/23) there were 195 organ donors in South West – living and deceased – compared with 207 the year before.
Anthony Clarkson, Director of Organ Donation and Transplantation at NHS Blood and Transplant, said:
“Over 50,000 people are alive in the UK today thanks to the life-saving gift of organ donation, and 375 people had a transplant in the South West last year. But this wouldn’t be possible without the generosity of our incredible donors and their families who have given their support for donation at what is often the most difficult of times.
“We know that most people support organ donation in principle, and we have seen a steady increase in the number of people confirming their support for organ donation via the NHS Organ Donor Register, including 2.9 million in the South West.
“However, we still need families to support their loved one’s decision and agree to donation when approached, which we know is most likely when they know that’s what they wanted. With only one per cent of people dying in circumstances where organ donation is possible, every donor is precious and has the potential to save up to nine lives.
“We urge everyone who supports organ donation to confirm their decision on the NHS Organ Donor Register. It is a simple action which only takes two minutes; but can ultimately save lives.”
You can find out more about organ donation and register your wishes on the NHS website, by calling 0300 123 23 23 or using the NHS app.