Transplants halve amid pandemic

ORGAN donations have halved during the coronavirus outbreak.

Just 750 went ahead from April 1 to June 14, compared with 1,498 during the same period last year, according to figures from NHS Blood and Transplant.

Lung transplants dropped by 76%, with just 11 able to go ahead.

Liver transplants almost halved to just 105.

Others drastically hit were patients needing kidney and pancreas transplants.

Fewer donors died in circumstances where transplants were possible due to lockdown and the fact those with suspected Covid-19 cannot be considered.

There were 309 deceased donors compared with 747 for the same period in the previous year.

Living donors available – for ops such as kidney transplants – fell to three this year from 120 last year.

Organs from many potential donors who died could not be used as coronavirus-free medical facilities were not available to carry out transplants on time.

Professor John Forsythe of NHS Blood and Transplant said: “We realise that it will take a while for it to return to previous high levels, but the NHS is working hard to make that happen.”