More than 460 people in the East of England are waiting for an organ transplant
In the East last year, 433 patients received a transplant
Last updated 12th Jul 2023
More than 460 people in the East of England are currently waiting for an organ transplant to save their life.
That's according to the latest annual figures published by NHS Blood and Transplant.
Nationally, the figures show that last year (2022/23), there was a 5% increase in the number of patients whose lives were saved or improved through an organ transplant in the UK.
The annual Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplantation Activity Report shows that 4,532 patients received donated organs from 2,386 donors – living and deceased – in the UK last year (2022/23).
Here in the East, 433 patients received a living or deceased transplant, compared to 441 in 2021/22.
There are currently over 7,000 people on the active transplant waiting list in the UK, including 466 patients from the East.
Clinicians warn that opportunities for transplant are still being missed due to families declining to support donation.
As a result, NHS Blood and Transplant is urging people in the East to confirm their organ donation decision on the NHS Organ Donor Register, as they say families are more likely to support donation when they already know it was what their relative wanted.
In the East last year (2022/23), there were 192 organ donors – living and deceased – compared with 210 donors 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 433 people had a transplant in the East of England 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 2.8 million in the East.
“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.”