NNUH in top 20 hospitals for Organ Donation
New figures out today reveal that we were in the top 20 hospitals for organ donation last year. During 2022-2023 20 patients went on to save the lives of 51 patients following their death at NNUH. Nationally 1,429 people who donated their organs after death and 958 living donors helped 4,533 people with organ failure, who desperately needed a transplant.
NHS Blood and Transplant and NNUH have released the figures to mark the publication of the annual Organ Donation and Transplantation Activity Report showing that we were one of the top 20 donor hospitals in the UK last year.
The annual report shows deceased organ donation in the UK increased by 2% last year thanks to the continuing recovery of organ donation and transplant activity following the Covid-19 pandemic.
Despite this, the number of people being listed for a transplant has increased, due to most being suspended during the height of the pandemic and, subsequently, others needing a transplant being added to the list. There are more than 7,000 people on the active waiting list and a further 3,822 temporarily suspended.
Natalie Ashley, Specialist Nurse for Organ Donation at NHS Blood and Transplant, said: “I have the privilege of meeting some of the most incredible families who have made the selfless decision to support their loved ones to help save and improve the lives of others through the gift of organ donation. What better legacy can there be?
“In September we will celebrate Organ Donation Week and are planning ‘The Great Organ Hunt’ in Norwich city centre on Saturday 23 September, and we will be hosting an ‘Organ Donation Bake Off’ where departments will be asked to bake some organ themed goodies. Look out for buses in and around Norwich which will be promoting organ donation. All these events help us to get more people talking about organ donation, so that their loved ones know their wishes when they die.”
Prof Nancy Fontaine, Chief Nurse at NNUH, said: “Organ donation is such a wonderful gift and I’m extremely grateful to those patients, and their families, who save or improve the lives of others by donating their organs after their death. I’d urge you to please register your organ donation decision on the NHS Organ Donor Register. If your family know what you want to happen when you die, they are much more likely to honour that decision and make organ donation a possibility.”
Anthony Clarkson, Director of Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplantation, at NHS Blood and Transplant, says: “Over 50,000 people are alive in the UK today thanks to the life-saving gift of organ donation. 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.
“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.
“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.”
Find out more and register your decision by visiting NHS Organ Donor Register at www.organdonation.nhs.uk and share your decision with your family.