The NHS is urging families to talk about their loved one’s organ donation wishes, as families are increasingly declining requests to donate organs due to unclear wishes. In addition, the transplant waiting list has reached a 10-year high, which highlights the importance of discussing organ donation. Specialist nurses can increase the likelihood of families supporting organ donation. Organ failure can lead to death, and while an “opt-out” law is in place in the UK, families still have the final say.
After Ms Clarke agreed to donate her late partner’s organs, it was discovered that he had always been keen on transplants and had discussed it with her previously. His kidneys went for research, and part of one eye was donated to a grateful patient who wrote a letter explaining how much of a difference it made to their quality of life.
The UK introduced an “opt-out” law for organ donation in 2020, which was designed to increase the number of organs available for donation. However, the consent rate has fallen in the past four years, which is a worrying trend given the rising number of people who need transplants. There were 7,484 people on the active waiting list for transplants in March.
Lynda Sawyer received a liver transplant two years ago. She had primary biliary cholangitis, which can lead to liver failure without treatment. She says she now cherishes every moment of life and is thankful to her donor and their family for sharing their wishes. Sawyer believes organ donation rates could increase if more people talked about it with their families.
Introducing the concept of organ donation at a young age in primary school could help start conversations around donation decisions, according to Dr Luke Yates, a trustee at the charity Live Life, Give Life. The charity is working hard to raise awareness regarding the chronic donor shortage, given that many on the waitlist will die still in need
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