A TOTAL of 165 patients in Hampshire are waiting for an organ donor to save their life.
Latest figures published by NHS Blood and Transplant also show that, in the last year, there was a five per cent increase in the number of patients whose lives were saved or improved through an organ transplant in the UK.
In Hampshire, however, there were fewer transplants than the year before.
The annual Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplantation Activity Report shows that 4,532 patients received donated organs from 2,386 donors – living and deceased – in the UK during the last half of 2022 and the first half of 2023, a five per cent increase on the figures for the previous year.
In Hampshire, 108 patients received a living or deceased transplant, compared to 113 in 2021/22.
There are currently over 7,000 people on the active transplant waiting list in the UK, including 165 patients from Hampshire.
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Clinicians warn that opportunities for transplant are still being missed due to families declining to support donation.
People are being urged to confirm their organ donation decision on the NHS Organ Donor Register with families more likely to support donation when they already know it was what their relative wanted.
Last year (2022/23) there were 81 organ donors in Hampshire – living and deceased – with 81 the year before also.
Anthony Clarkson, NHS Blood and Transplant Director of Organ Donation and Transplantation said: "Over 50,000 people are alive in the UK today thanks to the life-saving gift of organ donation, and 88 patients received a deceased transplant in Hampshire last year.
"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 that most people support organ donation in principle, and we have seen a steady increase in the number of people confirming their support via the NHS Organ Donor Register, including 858,568 people in Hampshire.
"However, we still need families to support their loved one’s decision and agree to donation when approached.
"Every donor is precious and has the potential to save up to nine lives."
To find out more, visit organdonation.nhs.uk
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