AROUND 700 people in the West Midlands are waiting for an organ transplant to save their life.
The annual Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplantation Activity Report, published by NHS Blood and Transplant, also revealed 4,532 patients received donated organs from 2,386 donors – living and deceased – in the UK last year (2022/23).
This was a five per cent increase on the previous year.
In the West Midlands 398 people received a living or deceased transplant last year, compared to 372 in 2021/22.
The data shows there were 160 organ donors in the region – living and deceased – compared with 162 donors the year before.
NHS Blood and Transplant say there are currently over 7,000 people on the active transplant waiting list in the UK.
Clinicians warn opportunities for transplant are still being missed due to families declining to support donation.
People in the Midlands are being urged to confirm their organ donation decision on the NHS Organ Donor Register, families are more likely to support donation when they already know it was what their relative wanted.
Anthony Clarkson, director of organ donation and transplantation at NHS Blood and Transplant, said: “Over 50,000 people are alive in the UK today thanks to the life-saving gift of organ donation, and more than 700 people had a transplant in the Midlands last year.
“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 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, including more than 4million in the Midlands.
“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.”
He added, with only one per cent of people dying in circumstances where organ donation was possible, every donor was precious and had the potential to save up to nine lives.
“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.”
Use the NHS app, visit organdonation.nhs.uk or call 0300 123 23 23 for more or to confirm support for organ donation.
