HEART SWAP WAIT TREBLES Organ donors ‘tell family’ plea

THE waiting list for a heart transplant has almost trebled in a decade.

Campaigners revealed the shock rise as they pleaded for people listed as donors to discuss their decision with loved ones.

NHS figures show the number of people on the waiting list for a new heart in the UK has increased by 162% since 2008.

Although most people support organ donation, many families refuse to give their permission because they are unsure of their loved ones’ wishes.

The British Heart Foundation is encouraging potential donors to make their intentions clear to their next of kin.

The campaign marks the 50th anniversary of the world’s first A WOMAN has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after two police officers were stabbed at a house.

The 50-year-old is alleged to have knifed one in the leg and the other in the hand.

She was Tasered during the incident and suffered a head injury.

Police were called to the property in Chelmsford, Essex, after a report of concern for someone’s welfare.

Essex Police said the officers were “approached by a woman with a knife” around 11pm on Friday.

The woman, who was also arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm, was last night in Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge. She was treated for heart transplant. On December 3 1967, South African surgeon Christiaan Barnard transplanted the heart of a woman killed in a car crash into a man with heart disease. He survived for 18 days.

Today, transplants are routine. Patients like Vicky Small, from Bournemouth, desperately want the surgery – but face a race against time.

The 43-year-old, diagnosed with restrictive cardiomyopathy, said: “It’s so sad.

“And it’s also really frightening to think that I might never be lucky enough to receive a new heart because people are not having these uncomfortable, but vital, conversations with their loved ones.

“I am in heart failure and I really need a new heart. Please, let your injuries which were described as “not life-threatening”.

One officer is awaiting surgery on his leg. The other has received treatment for his hand injury but will need further medical help due to the severity of the wound. Police put a cordon in place around the property while they investigated. An Essex Police spokesman said: “Two police officers have received serious injuries following an incident in which they were stabbed in Chelmsford.

“A number of officers attended and a scene guard is currently in place to allow investigations to take place.” loved ones know if you want to donate your organs.

“It’s incredibly important you ‘have the chat’ – before it’s too late.”

The BHF said many people were unaware their families are still able to block the procedure after their death – even if they carry a donor card and are on the organ donor register.

Last year 3,144 families were asked to give their permission but 1,172 of them declined.

Professor John Forsyth from the NHS said: “There is still a severe shortage of donated organs of all kinds, and far too many people die without ever receiving the transplant they need.

“Organ donation saves lives and we urge people to join the NHS Organ Donor Register and talk to their families about their decision.”