UK health leaders warn of sharp decline in organ donations

Health leaders in the UK have warned of a “sharp” decline in organ donations, saying urgent action is needed to help about 8,700 people waiting for transplants.

NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) described the situation as “one of the most challenging periods for organ donation in over a decade” and said it was working to determine the reasons behind the decline, Sky News reports. 

Deceased donation rates are currently 9% below the same period last year, while family consent rates fell from 67% in 2020/21 to 57% last year.

NHSBT has launched an “urgent response plan” to address the decline.

Anthony Clarkson, the organisation’s director of organ and tissue donation, said: “We are facing one of the most challenging periods for organ donation in over a decade. The sharp decline in donors and the rising number of people waiting for a transplant need urgent action.

“We have already adapted significantly to changes in the donation environment, but saving lives and reducing the waiting list needs collective effort across the NHS and society.

“There is a simple action the public can take to help save lives. Please sign the NHS Organ Donor Register. Most of us would accept an organ if we needed one but opportunities to save lives are being lost because families didn't know what their loved ones wanted. Leave them certain.”

Nicola and David Lee agreed to donate their daughter Miriam’s organs after she died from sudden cardiac arrest at the age of 17. She had previously registered as an organ donor.

Her liver was donated to Ollie Jolliff from Dorset, who needed a transplant at 11 months old in 2016 because of a genetic condition. The Lee family described it as a “true honour” to see Ollie, now 10, grow up.

Ollie’s mother, Hannah Jolliff, said: “Ollie knows he's got a special liver, and he knows that Miriam is the special girl who gave it to him.

“We're so aware of how different things could have been had Miriam and her family not made the decision to donate. It was a difficult and completely selfless decision, and we are so grateful to them.

“Organ donation is something very special. It can completely change the lives of people like Ollie and us, as his parents. We'd urge everybody who can to consider what their decision would be and to confirm it on the NHS Organ Donor Register.”

Organ Donation Week, which aims to raise awareness of the benefits of organ donation, began on September 21.

By Sabina Mammadli