THOUSANDS of lives have been saved or improved through organ donation at University Hospital Southampton.
New figures reveal that there were 46 patients who donated their organs after death at University Hospital Southampton last year, helping to save or improve the lives of 4,324 people desperately in need of a transplant in the UK.
NHS Blood and Transplant and University Hospital Southampton have released the figures to mark the publication of the annual Organ Donation and Transplantation Activity Report showing that Southampton was one of the top 20 donor hospitals in the UK last year.
ALSO READ: 'My dentist stole my smile', says Eastleigh woman awarded £17,500 out of court
The annual report shows deceased organ donation in the UK increased by 18 per cent last year thanks to the continuing recovery of organ donation and transplant activity following the Covid-19 pandemic. A total of 1,397 people donated their organs after death across the UK.
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 currently 6,393 people on the active waiting list and a further 3,990 temporarily suspended.
Rachel Clare, specialist nurse in the organ donation team at University Hospital Southampton, told the Daily Echo: "We need more people in Southampton to talk with their loved ones about organ donation to give them the certainty they need to support their organ donation decision.
"Even now the law has changed, your loved ones will still always be consulted before organ donation goes ahead. Please don’t wait. Speak to your family about organ donation and let them know your decision."
Anthony Clarkson, Director of Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplantation, at NHS Blood and Transplant, added: "Organ donation and transplantation is a fundamental part of the NHS work to save lives. This is shown by the increase in the number of patients this year receiving transplants and the number of those who are continually registering their decision to be an organ donor.
"We need to work to improve consent/authorisation rates by encouraging people to register their decision and discuss it with their families as organ donation really does save lives."
Find out more and register at organdonation.nhs.uk
A message from the Editor
Thank you for reading this article - we appreciate your support in reading the Daily Echo.
Subscribing to the Echo means you have unrestricted access to the latest news, features and Saints coverage - all with an advertising-light website.
You will also have full access to Saintsplus, your new home for Southampton FC tactical analysis, features and much, much more.
Don't just take my word for it - subscribe today.
Follow the latest breaking news in the Southampton area by searching Southampton News - Breaking News and Incidents on Facebook
Follow the latest court and crime news on our dedicated group by searching Hampshire Court and Crime News on Facebook
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here