Donation could help save a life

More people in Lincolnshire could help save a life by signing up for organ donation.

New data released by the NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) service shows that more patients than ever are agreeing to donate organs after death across the country.

In Lincolnshire, the number of donors has also increased, thanks to the efforts of the organ donation staff within United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust (ULHT).

Between April and September 2019, from eight consented donors, ULHT facilitated six actual organ donors resulting in 15 patients receiving a transplant during the time period. These were all kidney and liver transplants.

This is in comparison to the first six months of 2018/19, when the Trust facilitated three actual organ donors out of six consented donors.

When compared with national data, during the time period the Trust was classed as ‘exceptional’ for the referral of potential organ donors and ‘exceptional’ for specialist nurse presence when approaching families to discuss organ donation.

Clare Jones, Yorkshire Organ Donation Service Team Manager at NHS Blood and Transplant, said: “Every donation reflects the generosity and altruism of both the patient and their family who have considered the needs of the transplant community at such a difficult time for them, and without whom the hope of a life-changing transplant would be lost. This gift can never be underestimated.”

ULHT Medical Director Dr Neill Hepburn said: “Our teams work very hard with patients and their families to encourage and facilitate organ donation, and it is great to see this recognition that we are doing a good job in this respect.

“This is a really important way in which we can help our Lincolnshire patients who are waiting for an organ.”