Organ and tissue donation

Organ and tissue donation

Organ and tissue donation can offer the opportunity to fulfil the decision of your relative/friend. The donation and transplantation of organs such as heart, liver, lungs and kidneys can save peoples’ lives. Not everyone is suitable to be an organ donor and the decision for suitability is made by doctors and transplant coordinators.

Organ donation is a gift of an organ to help someone who needs a transplant. Heart, lungs, liver, kidneys and pancreas can all help to save people’s lives who are waiting on the transplant register. If organ donation is an option, then this will be offered as a choice on the Critical Care Unit when it is clear, that your relative/friend is dying or has already died. Organ donation is arranged by a Specialist Nurse in Organ Donation and must take place soon after a person has died

The donation and transplantation of tissues such as skin, bone, tendons and eyes can save and improve peoples’ lives. Most people can be considered for tissue donation and this decision is made by specialist nurses at NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT). Tissue donation can take place up to 48 hours after death and tissue from a single donor can save or improve the lives of over 50 people.

Shortly after someone dies the patient’s information and next of kin contact number will be sent to NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) by a member of the ward nursing staff. A Specialist Nurse from NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) may then contact you by telephone to give you information about tissue donation if your relative/friend is on the Organ Donor Register.