Forty organ donors from Eastern region helped to save lives, new figures show

Forty people in the Eastern region donated organs after their deaths, figures showed. Credit: CUH

The lives of more than 4,500 people were saved or improved thanks to organ donors last year, figures show.

The numbers were revealed in the NHS Blood and Transplant annual Organ Donation and Transplantation Activity Report.

The study shows that Addenbrooke’s Hospital, run by the Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (CUH), ranks third out of the top 20 donor hospitals in the UK last year.

The annual report shows deceased organ donation in the UK increased by 2% last year thanks to the continuing recovery of organ donation and transplant activity following the Covid-19 pandemic.

Across the country 1,429 people in total donated their organs after death last year.

Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge is part of Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Credit: ITV Anglia

Despite this, the number of people being listed for a transplant has increased, due to most being suspended during the height of the pandemic and, subsequently, others needing a transplant being added to the list.

There are more than 7,000 people on the active waiting list and a further 3,822 temporarily suspended.

Dr Riaz Kayani, a consultant in paediatric intensive care and clinical lead for organ donation at CUH, has presided over organ donation activity at the trust since 2016.

He said: “We are proud to have been able to help so many patients this year, but the real heroes are the donors and their families for allowing these procedures to happen.

“Our message is please register your organ donation decision on the NHS Organ Donor Register. If your family know what you want to happen when you die, they are much more likely to honour that decision and make organ donation a possibility.”

Anthony Clarkson, a director at NHS Blood and Transplant, added: “Over 50,000 people are alive in the UK today thanks to the life-saving gift of organ donation.

“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.”

Find out more and register your decision by visiting NHS Organ Donor Register at www.organdonation.nhs.uk and share your decision with your family.

Want a quick and expert briefing on the biggest news stories? Listen to our latest podcasts to find out What You Need To know...