Organ donar register turns 25
People in Ayrshire and Arran are being encouraged to make their organ donation decision known as the NHS Organ Donor Register marks its 25 year milestone.
Since its creation, there have been 1,868 organ donors in Scotland – a third (33 per cent) of which were known to be on the register – leading to over 6,200 lives being saved or improved.
In Ayrshire and Arran, 43.5 per cent of the population are currently on the register. Across Scotland, just over 2.6 million people have already registered their donation decision – just under half of the Scottish population.
The United Kingdom NHS Organ Donor Register allows specialist nurses in organ donation to quickly and easily check if someone has recorded their donation decision – and the register will continue to play an important role when the law around organ and tissue donation changes next autumn.
A sensitive discussion with the family will always take place and any decision registered will be made available to families to help them support what their relative would have wanted.
Everyone has a choice, people are being encouraged to make their organ decision known, now and in the lead up to the law change, by recording it on the register and importantly talking to their family about what they would want to happen.
William Murray, specialist nurse in organ donation NHS Ayrshire and Arran said: ‘Organ donation is a precious gift which saves and transforms lives. On this landmark anniversary and ahead of the law changing in autumn 2020, we’re encouraging people to think about their donation decision and make it known.’
There are more than 550 people in Scotland currently waiting on a transplant. One donor can save or transform the lives of up to nine people and even more by donating tissue.
People can find out more about the opt out system of organ and tissue donation, and their choices at organdonationscotland.org