PHA urges the people of Northern Ireland to ‘Give the gift of life’

PHA urges the people of Northern Ireland to ‘Give the gift of life’

In Northern Ireland over 300 people are currently waiting for organ donation, with this mind, the Public Health Agency (PHA), on behalf of the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS) hosted an Organ Donor Stand at this years Balmoral Show, to increase awareness of this emotive issue and to help improve rates of organ donation here.

Over 10,000 people in the UK currently need a transplant and, of these, nearly 1,000 each year die waiting because there are not enough organs available. Although the national programme of Organ Donation has encouraging uptake results to date, there is still only one in four adults in Northern Ireland registered as potential organ donors.

Organ donation coordinators from all over Northern Ireland, along with professionals from the PHA and DHSSPS attended the show to answer queries or concern that all too often put people off registering as a donor and with over 70,000 people attending the show, it offered an excellent platform to provide information on organ donation and help highlight the fact that there is a shortage of donors.

Dr Eddie Rooney, Chief Executive, PHA said: “Although there has been a marked increase in the UK’s population registering as a donor, there is still three quarters of the population in Northern Ireland not registered. The stand at the Balmoral Show allowed us to engage with a large and diverse audience, making them aware of the importance of organ donation and encouraging them to register as a donor today.”

Health Minister Michael McGimpsey visited the PHA Organ Donor and speaking at the event, said: “We all have the opportunity to help others in need, simply by joining the Organ Donor Register. I would ask everyone in Northern Ireland, who has not already done so, to take this simple step today and to go home and discuss this vital issue with their family and friends.”

Further information

If anyone would like to register as an organ donor, they should contact 0300 123 23 23 or visit www.walloflife.org.uk

 

For further information: Contact PHA Press Office, Ormeau Avenue on 028 9031 1611

Notes to the editor

Notes to the editor:
You can join the NHS Organ Donor Register by:
• Filling in a form online at www.organdonation.nhs.uk
• Calling the NHS Donor Line on 0300 123 23 23
• By texting SAVE to 84118

You can also when you are:
• Registering for a driving licence
• Applying for a Boots Advantage Card
• Registering at a GP surgery
• Registering for a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)