WIREDGOV

New figures from the NHS show a record number of people are now on the Organ Donor Register.

The NHS Blood and Transplant service says that 18 million people, close to 30 per cent of the UK’s population, have registered to donate after they die. The figures also showed widely varying donor registration rates in different parts of the UK, with Scotland leading the way on 37 per cent.

Dr Mike Knapton, our Associate Medical Director, said:

There are still more than 40 million people in the UK who aren’t on the register

“These are very promising numbers which show we’re making progress towards finding more organs to help those who need them most. A donor heart is a gift of life for many people and can give precious years to someone who may otherwise have only weeks to live.

“But there are still more than 40 million people in the UK who aren’t on the register and disparities in donor numbers depending on where you live. We can end that lottery by introducing an opt-out organ donation system in which people would automatically be on the register unless they chose otherwise.”

National Transplant Week starts on July 4 and you can join the debate about organ donation and the opt-out system in our new online community.