Lancaster runs on organ donors

Less than half of Lancaster residents have registered in the organ donation registry, it was revealed.

The figures, published by NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) – show that nearly five people in Lancaster are currently on the waiting list for a new organ, while seven residents received transplants last year .

The NHSBT states that the inability of potential donors to sign the register or inform their families of their wishes is an obstacle to achieving vital transplants.

This "fatal complacency" means that a family may refuse to give consent even if their loved one was happy that their organs were being used.

Just 44% of Lancaster residents were registered as donors in May this year, based on the latest population estimates. This figure includes all age groups, from infants to seniors, who can all register.

Scotland, England and Northern Ireland all currently use an opt-in system, whereby people can choose to register as a donor.

But Scotland and England plan to follow the example of Wales and adopt a withdrawal system in the years to come.

In the first quarter of 2018, almost 40% of people in the UK, about 25.5 million people, were registered.

However, the NHSBT figures show large variations between local government areas, with the proportion of people registering from only 16% in areas such as Harlow and Newham to 83% in Dorset.

Five of the 20 lowest areas for donor registration are in London, while most are metropolitan or urban areas. The NHSBT acknowledged that there was a disparity between urban and rural areas, with higher enrollment levels in the latter, but it did not understand why.

According to the NHSBT, a number of demographic factors could influence the proportion of people registered in a register, such as race, religion and age.

Blacks and Asians are more likely to die while waiting for an organ because of a lack of donors of the same ethnicity, more likely to be close.

The research conducted by the organization shows that people belonging to ethnic minorities are less likely to talk about giving, while some religious people may have concerns about funeral practices.

However, a spokesman for the organization said that "all major world religions" approved donating organs and were working with charities and community groups to raise awareness.

People over the age of 50 are also less likely to register because they incorrectly assume that their organs are no longer healthy enough to make a donation.

Only 27% of people who joined the registry last year were over 50, but 72% of those whose organs could be used after death are aged 50 or older.

Anthony Clarkson, Acting Director of Organ Donation and Transplantation at the NHSBT, said, "We do not want people to die because of a fatal complacency – because you know you want to be a donor of organs.

"People live every moment, desperately needing someone who says" yes "to a gift.

"We all know that organ donation legislation will change in England and Scotland in the years to come, but the reality is that people are waiting for an organ and it will always be important for people to know your decision.

"The role of your family is critical."

Visit https://www.nhsbt.nhs.uk/donate/ to register.