Lockdown hit donor organ transplants

ORGAN donations decreased by more than half during the pandemic, figures show.

Donor transplants fell by 58 per cent last year compared with 2019/20.

Deceased donor activity – from those who have died but signed up to give their organs – was working at 75 per cent compared to the year before.

Deceased donor transplants were at 78 per cent.

In April 2020, the NHS saw the lowest number ever recorded on a monthly basis with just 100 transplants taking place. There are 5,984 people on the waiting list.

Fiona Loud, policy director at Kidney Care UK, said: “Tragically, international data from 22 countries, including the UK, has shown 48,000 life years were lost last year through fewer transplants due to Covid.”