Organ Donation is the gift of an organ such as kidneys, heart, liver, lungs, pancreas and the small bowel. Sadly, not all patients survive their illness. During this difficult time, a doctor or a nurse may approach the family and ask about organ donation.
There are currently around 6000 people in the UK on the active waiting list, including children and teenagers. One donor can save or transform up to nine lives and 82% of the population definitely want to donate or would consider donating their organs but only 35% of people across the UK have joined the NHS Organ Donor Register.
Organ donation in England has changed to an 'opt out' system. This means that if you are not in an excluded group, and have not confirmed whether you want to be an organ donor, either by recording a decision on the NHS Organ Donor Register, or by speaking to friends and family – it will be considered that you agree to donate your organs when you die.
Organ Donation on the Isle of Wight is overseen by the Trust’s Organ Donation Sub-Committee. The Trust receives an annual report each year from NHS Blood and Transplant and you can download the report below. Due to logistical reasons corneas and tissue cannot currently be retrieved from donors on the Island.
More information can be found on the Organ Donation website.
