Page last updated at 23:53 GMT, Wednesday, 7 October 2009 00:53 UK

Organs still short as donors rise

Liver transplant
A thousand people die each year while waiting for a transplant

The number of people agreeing to donate their organs after death is growing, but at a slower rate than the number of patients who need them, a report warns.

The first year of a concerted effort to boost UK donation rates did see the number of transplants rise as more co-ordinated services were implemented.

But the Organ Donation Taskforce notes the waiting list continues to grow.

The BMA doctors' union said it was time to seriously debate presumed consent, in which everyone is seen as a donor.


The taskforce is working to implement a series of recommendations to ensure that suitable organs are retrieved from those willing to donate as part of a drive to improve the UK's donation rate, which lags behind much of Europe.

More lives saved




We have made an excellent start, but there is still a long way to go
Andy Burnham
Health Secretary


A system of presumed consent, in operation in many of the countries with the highest donation rates, was rejected last year by the Organ Donation Taskforce in favour of these better co-ordinated efforts to retrieve organs.

Better care, fewer organs

But demand continues to grow.

One of the obstacles in improving access to high quality organs is a reduction in the number of road accidents, which often involve the otherwise fit and healthy, combined with improved care of the critically ill - meaning more survive.


One of the key factors behind this increase is the increasing incidence of kidney failure in the UK - particularly in the over-50s and black and ethnic minority communities.


The single most important step that could be made towards improving the availability of donor organs would be to introduce a presumed consent system
British Heart Foundation

While welcoming the increase in the number of people signing up to be donors, the British Medical Association said "there was still much to be done".

"We very much hope the 50% increase in donation rates, predicted by the Organ Donation Taskforce, will be achieved in the next five years," said Dr Tony Calland, head of the union's ethics committee.

"But there will still be a shortage of donors and people will still be dying waiting for an organ. Now is the time to have a serious debate about changing to a system of presumed consent (opt-out) for organ donation.

"In our view having a well organised and funded infrastructure, combined with a system of presumed consent, is still the best way forward."

Betty McBride of British Heart Foundation said transplants were the best long term option for the critically ill.

"These figures are good news for patients, who could receive the transplant they so desperately need to save their life.

"However, the single most important step that could be made towards improving the availability of donor organs would be to introduce a presumed consent system. We believe that such a system with an opt-out opportunity should underpin organ donation in the UK."

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