New figures from NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) show that there has been a 24.8% increase in people registered on the national liver transplant list. The British Liver Trust has expressed its concern over the new statistics calling for more people to sign up to the organ donor list.

Figures show that on the 20th June this year there were 468 people registered on the liver transplant waiting list, compared to only 375 people on the same day in 2010. There was also a 12.4% increase in the number of liver transplants carried out in 2010.

Sarah Matthews, spokesperson for the British Liver Trust, says: "Even though there was an increase in the number of transplants performed in the last year, we are still failing to meet demand. We also have to remember that this demand is likely to be higher than the official list as not everyone who needs a liver transplant is listed due to clinicians being mindful of the shortage of organs."

Currently two people a week die waiting for a liver transplant and this figure is set to increase further unless we see the upward mortality trend of liver disease fall. 300 people each week die from liver disease and when compared to the other five big causes of death, liver disease is the only one showing an upward trend.

"These increasing rates of liver disease are not just driving demand for transplants; they're driving demand for all liver services and pushing up NHS costs. We don't believe that there is a one-hit wonder approach to reducing rates of liver disease because it is such a demographically diverse killer. However we strongly back the evidence for proven effective measures such as a minimum price for alcohol, earlier identification of viral hepatitis and a universal vaccination for hepatitis B," added Matthews.

In supporting National Transplant Week (4th - 10th July 2011) the British Liver Trust is promoting NHSBT's campaign theme, 'What Are You Waiting For? With three people dying every day whilst waiting for organs, NHSBT is calling on people to discuss the issues around organ donation and sign up to the NHS Organ Donor Register.

Note

1. NHS Blood and Transplant figures show that the number of people on the liver transplant register has increased by 25%. 468 people were registered on 20th June 2011, compared to 375 people listed at the same time in June 2010.

2. Government mortality statistics for the UK indicate that deaths from liver disease continue to rise, increasing by 12% in the last three years, totalling 46,244 lives lost. In 2009, liver disease killed 15,993 people - an 11% increase since 2005. If these rates continue, deaths from liver disease are predicted to double in 20 years.

3. This graph overleaf, produced by the British Liver Trust, illustrates the true extent of liver disease in the UK. Liver disease, when compared to the other five big causes of death, is the only one showing a steady increase year-on-year:

Source:
British Liver Trust