15/08/2013
UK Sees Record Organ Transplant Numbers
The number of organ transplant operations carried out across the UK has risen to a record high, according to the NHS.
The NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) service revealed that there were 4,212 transplants in 2012-13, indicating an increase of 6% on the previous year.
A quarter were from a living donor giving a kidney or a liver part and the rest involved people who had died.
It is thought the rise is a result of an increase in the number of donors, which has risen 50% since 2008.
But NHSBT warned that extra donors were still needed.
At the end of March, 7,332 patients were recorded waiting for a transplant.
Another 3,030 were temporarily unable to have one for reasons such as being too ill to have an operation.
466 patients died while on the waiting list.
Last year four out of 10 bereaved families would not agree to donation, giving the UK one of the highest rates in Europe.
Sally Johnson of the NHSBT said: "These donations ensured that for the eighth year in succession the number of people benefiting from an organ transplant increased.
"But although we have seen year-on-year increases in activity the UK can and must do more to save and improve lives through organ donation and transplantation, and family refusal is now our biggest problem.
"If the NHS is to save even more lives, more people need to sign up to be a donor, more people need to discuss donation with those close to them and more families need to support donation on behalf of a loved one."
Professor Anthony Warrens, president of the British Transplantation Society, said: "It is very gratifying to note that we have performed over 4,000 transplants in 2012-13 for the first time ever in a single year."
(IT/CD)
The NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) service revealed that there were 4,212 transplants in 2012-13, indicating an increase of 6% on the previous year.
A quarter were from a living donor giving a kidney or a liver part and the rest involved people who had died.
It is thought the rise is a result of an increase in the number of donors, which has risen 50% since 2008.
But NHSBT warned that extra donors were still needed.
At the end of March, 7,332 patients were recorded waiting for a transplant.
Another 3,030 were temporarily unable to have one for reasons such as being too ill to have an operation.
466 patients died while on the waiting list.
Last year four out of 10 bereaved families would not agree to donation, giving the UK one of the highest rates in Europe.
Sally Johnson of the NHSBT said: "These donations ensured that for the eighth year in succession the number of people benefiting from an organ transplant increased.
"But although we have seen year-on-year increases in activity the UK can and must do more to save and improve lives through organ donation and transplantation, and family refusal is now our biggest problem.
"If the NHS is to save even more lives, more people need to sign up to be a donor, more people need to discuss donation with those close to them and more families need to support donation on behalf of a loved one."
Professor Anthony Warrens, president of the British Transplantation Society, said: "It is very gratifying to note that we have performed over 4,000 transplants in 2012-13 for the first time ever in a single year."
(IT/CD)
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Law change for organ donors
Radical changes to laws governing organ and tissue donation are being introduced, which may lead to more life-saving transplant operations. Under the Human Tissue Act 2004, which comes into effect on September 1, relatives will no longer have the right to overrule the wishes of loved ones to donate organs or tissue after their death.
23 August 2012
Record-Breaking Year For Organ Transplants
In a record-breaking year, 3,960 transplants were carried out in the UK in 2011/12, NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) announced today. The Organ Donation and Transplantation Activity Report 2012 shows the seventh year of growth in the number of transplants.
Record-Breaking Year For Organ Transplants
In a record-breaking year, 3,960 transplants were carried out in the UK in 2011/12, NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) announced today. The Organ Donation and Transplantation Activity Report 2012 shows the seventh year of growth in the number of transplants.
12 October 2004
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Last year saw a 3% increase in the number of transplant operations that took place in the UK in 2002, according to the health department.
Awareness campaign leads to rise in transplant ops
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Baby Zoe has heart transplant
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Baby Zoe has heart transplant
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Hundreds Attend Heart Transplant Girl's Funeral
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