This Organ Donation Week (26th September to 2nd October) Isle of Wight NHS Trust and NHS Blood and Transplant and are calling on people to register their donation decision and talk to their families about organ donation as more than 6,500 people are actively waiting for a transplant across the UK.
Around 70,000 people on the Isle of Wight have already declared their decision through the NHS Organ Donor Register.
Share your wishes with your family
However, people need to tell their family to help ensure they support their decision if they are approached about organ donation by a specialist nurse in hospital.
When a family is approached, 9 out of 10 will agree to donation if they know their family member was on the Organ Donor Register and has talked about their decision.
Opt Out system
Even though the law around organ donation has now changed across England, Scotland and Wales to an Opt Out system, family members will still always be consulted before organ donation goes ahead.
This means it is still just as important as ever to register your decision on the NHS Organ Donor Register and ensure your friends and family know what you want.
Crickmore: Having this conversation with your loved ones gives them the certainty they need
Vikki Crickmore, Consultant Nurse Critical Care and Clinical Lead for Organ Donation at St Mary’s hospital Isle of Wight NHS Trust, said,
“There are thousands of people across the UK waiting for a life-saving donation. We need people across the Isle of Wight, regardless of age, to register their decision and talk with their friends and family about organ donation to ensure their wishes are met.
“Having this conversation with your loved ones gives them the certainty they need, at what can be a very difficult time, to support your organ donation decision and save lives in future.
“We encourage everyone on the Island to register their decision if they want to donate organs after their death, this simple act can save another person’s life.”
Clarkson: Take a moment to register and share your decision
Anthony Clarkson, Director of Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplantation for NHS Blood and Transplant said:
“We are very grateful to the Isle of Wight NHS Trust for its support during Organ Donation Week.
“With the increase in the number of people waiting for transplants, it’s more important than ever to register your organ donation decision and make it known to your family and friends.
“We urge all family members of all ages to take a moment this Organ Donation Week to register and share your decision.”
Find out more
To find out more and register your decision, visit the NHS Organ Donor Register via the Website and share your decision with your family.
Users of the NHS app, can also use this to record, check or amend their details or decision.
News shared by Isle of Wight NHS Trust, in their own words. Ed
