Rt. Hon. John F. Spellar MP

Only 23% of people in Warley have signed the NHS Organ Donation Register but nearly all of us would accept an organ if needed

After signing the NHS Organ Donor Register John Spellar MP has given his backing to Transplant 2013 and their campaign to increase the number of organ donors and transplants that are carried out in the NHS.

Only 29% of people have agreed to donate their organs after death by signing the NHS Organ Donor Register and over one third of families do not give consent for their relatives to donate.

Although the number organ donors are increasing there is still a chronic shortage of organs for transplant in the UK and demand far outstrips supply. As a result three people die every day because they fail to receive a transplant in time.

In the Warley constituency only 23% of people have joined the NHS Organ Donor Register, this is way lower than the national average of 26%.

Transplant 2013 is a coalition of patient groups, clinical organisations, and industry representing the combined voice of the organ donation and transplantation community. Transplant 2013 aims to promote and increase organ donation in the UK and hopes to increase organ donation 50% by 2013.

Commenting on the issue John Spellar, MP for Warley, said:

“There is a severe shortage of organ donors in the UK and having signed the Organ Donor Registration it is great to see Transplant 2013 fighting to raise this awareness of this issue and increase the number of organ donors in the UK

“It is concerning that nearly all of us would take an organ if we needed one, but sadly at the moment only 23% of people in the constituency have joined the NHS Organ Donor Register, which has replaced the old donor card system.

“This is well below the UK average of 29%, not to mention the national high of 34%.  I am calling on everyone in the constituency to help save more lives by joining the register and discussing their wishes with their families.

“There is lots that can be done locally to promote organ donation in the constituency.  For example, schools can encourage pupils to discuss organ donation in assemblies or PHSE classes, GP surgeries can display information in waiting rooms, and – most importantly – local people can join the NHS Organ Donor Register.

“Organ donation is a wonderful gift.  A kidney transplant can prevent a lifetime on dialysis, whilst a liver, lung, or heart transplant can remarkably restore someone who would otherwise die to health.”

You can support the campaign by joining the register at www.organdonation.nhs.uk or by calling 0300 123 23 23.