Make Your Wishes Count During National Transplant Week, UK

Main Category: Transplants / Organ Donations
Article Date: 12 Jul 2007 - 1:00 PDT

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Supporters of organ donation are being urged to make their wishes count by joining the NHS Organ Donor Register during National Transplant Week (7-14 July).

The call from UK Transplant comes as new research reveals that despite continuing high levels of support for organ donation, just 32% of would-be donors have recorded their intention to donate by joining the register.

UK Transplant managing and transplant director Chris Rudge said: "There are clearly many generous people in the UK who are committed to saving lives through organ donation, but have yet to take the vital step of confirming their wishes on the register.

"The theme of this year's National Transplant Week is 'What are you waiting for?' and the question is a good one. I urge everyone who supports donation to demonstrate their commitment by signing up, and discussing their wishes with their families."

The YouGov research for UK Transplant found that among those in favour of organ donation, 32% had joined the register, 61% had not and 7% were unsure. Simple inertia is the most common reason for not joining the register, with 31% of those in favour saying they had just never got around to it. Among other reasons:

-- 17% didn't know how to sign up (even though it is possible to join the register online or over the phone);

-- 13% were concerned they might want to change their minds in the future (although an entry on the register can be withdrawn at any time);

-- 12% didn't want to tempt fate;

-- 10% were unaware that the Organ Donor Register existed, while 5% thought that only a Donor Card was necessary (but people are still encouraged to join the register, as cards can be lost or mislaid);

-- 8% thought - mistakenly - they were too old to donate (even though physical condition, rather than age, is the main criteria for donation).

Joining the NHS Organ Donor Register is the most secure way to record an intention to donate, and to date more than 14.4 million people have made the lifesaving pledge.

An entry on the register ensures that where medically possible, a wish to donate can be fulfilled. It also helps NHS staff confirm an individual's wishes for donation to relatives, who may be unsure what their loved one wanted.

* You can find out more about organ donation and join the NHS Organ Donor Register by telephoning 0845 60 60 400 or visiting http://www.uktransplant.org.uk

1. Survey figures are from YouGov plc. Total sample size was 2,199 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 18-20 June 2007. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all GB adults (aged 18+). The survey found 84% of respondents in favour of organ donation, 4% against and 12% undecided. Among those in favour, 32% had joined the NHS Organ Donor Register, 61% had not and 7% didn't know. Reasons given for not joining the register (respondents were asked to tick as many as apply):

-- Never got around to it: 31%
-- Don't know how to join: 17%
-- Never been asked: 16%
-- Might change my mind in the future: 13%
-- Don't want to tempt fate: 12%
-- Never heard of it: 10%
-- Already told my family I want to donate: 9%
-- Medical condition means I can't donate: 9
-- I'm too old to donate: 8%
-- I already have a Donor Card: 5%
-- My family wouldn't like it: 3%
-- My religion forbids it: 1%
-- Don't know: 12%
-- Other: 6%

2. The NHS Organ Donor Register is a confidential database operated by UK Transplant that contains the names of more than 14.4 million individuals who wish to pass on the gift of life through organ donation after their death. This figure represents approximately 23% of the total UK population. The register can be accessed by authorised medical staff 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to establish an individual's wishes for donation. The Human Tissue Act 2004 makes clear that the wishes of the deceased must be put first and where an individual has expressed a wish to donate by joining the NHS Organ Donor Register, carrying a Donor Card or verbally or in writing to a friend or family member, NHS staff will do all they can to ensure those wishes are fulfilled.

3. More than 9,000 people in the UK need an organ transplant to save or dramatically improve their lives but the shortage of donors means that just 3,000 transplants can be performed each year. More than 400 patients die each year while waiting.

4. UK Transplant is the NHS organisation responsible for matching and allocating donated organs. It is part of NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT), a Special Health Authority within the NHS that manages the National Blood Service, Bio Products Laboratory, and UK Transplant.

http://www.uktransplant.org.uk

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