The Public Health Agency encourages people to confirm their decision to save lives this Organ Donation Week

Service Development and Screening
PHA, BSO, SPPG staff pic

As figures show that more than 12,000 people in the UK lost their lives waiting for a transplant in the past decade, the Public Health Agency is calling for everyone to register their organ donation decision and share it with loved ones.

The figures released by NHS Blood and Transplant to mark Organ Donation Week show that in the last ten years, 4,900 people died while actively waiting for a lifesaving transplant, with 44 in Northern Ireland. Additionally, a further 7,700 were removed from the active list after being deemed too sick to receive a transplant, with many dying soon after.  This highlights the urgent need to increase organ donation registrations.

Earlier this year, figures showed the transplant waiting list had reached its highest level ever recorded with 8,000 people in the UK actively waiting for a lifesaving transplant due to a shortage of donated organs.  In the UK there were 100 fewer deceased organ donors last year resulting in a 2 per cent drop in life-saving transplants. 

Speaking about the need for everyone to consider and record their organ donation decision, Public Health Agency Chief Executive Aidan Dawson said:

“In Northern Ireland there are currently 153 people on the transplant waiting list, their life on hold awaiting the call for the gift of life.  While support for organ donation here remains high at 90%, and we have the highest percentage of registrations to the Organ Donor Register in the UK – 59 percent – we still need more people to record decisions and have conversations, to help leave loved ones certain.”

Despite the challenges, there has been promising progress: more than 44,000 lives in the UK have been saved or improved through deceased and living donor organ transplants in the past decade. So far this year (1 April to 31 August), 35 people here have received a lifesaving deceased donor transplant, and 23 receiving a living donor transplant.  But with many still waiting, the Public Health Agency is urging people to take just two minutes today to confirm their decision to be an organ donor.

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt said:

“Organ Donation Week is about small, simple actions that can have a lifesaving impact. I thank every single person who has already signed the Organ Donor Register.

“The introduction of deemed consent, known as Daithi’s Law, in 2023 means that most adults are presumed to have consented to organ donation unless they have explicitly opted out. But it is still important that families know about your decision, as they will always be a part of the donation discussion. That is why signing the register, talking to your family about your decision and sharing the message are really important steps this Organ Donation Week.”

Anthony Clarkson, Director of Organ Donation and Transplantation at NHS Blood and Transplant commented:

“You are more likely to need a transplant than you ever are to be a donor - and most of us would accept an organ if we needed one. By confirming your decision on the NHS Organ Donor Register, you could save or transform up to nine lives.” 

Aidan Dawson continued:

“We really need people who want to be a donor after they die to make it clear to their families.  Last year, 90% of families honoured their loved one's decision to become a donor when they had recorded their decision on the NHS Organ Donor Register, which made those conversations with families so much easier. People are far more likely to support donation when they know it’s what their relative wanted.

“I would urge everyone who supports organ donation to register their decision and make it clear that it’s what you want should the worst happen. It only takes 2 minutes to register but it could save the lives of people who so desperately need a transplant.”

Under the ‘opt-out’ system donation can still only go ahead with the family’s support, which is why it remains so important to have the conversation and leave your loved ones certain of your decision.

To find out more, and confirm your support for organ donation, visit: www.organdonationni.info or call 0300 123 23 23. 

Notes to the editor

For additional information please contact Catherine McKeown, Organ Donation Promotion Manager on 07917 514485 or catherine.mckeown2@hscni.net 

 

Organ donation

  • Someone in the UK will die today waiting for an organ transplant
  • On average, more than three people a day died or became too ill for a transplant in the UK over the past decade
  • YTD in NI (1 April to 31 August 2025):
    • There have been 29 deceased donors (proceeding from 35 consents); with 13 of these consented under Dáithí’s Law
    • 19 of the 35 consented donors were on the ODR and/or had expressed their decision
    • 84 lifesaving transplants resulted from the 29 deceased donors (26 from those consented under Dáithí’s Law)
    • YTD consent rate is 66%
    • 35 patients in NI received a deceased donor transplant
    • There were 17 cases when a family did not support donation going ahead
  • From 1 April – 31 July 2025, there have been 26 living donors; 23 patients in NI received a living donor transplant
  • There are 153 people in NI on the waiting list (as at 31 August 2025)
  • As of 8 September 2025, 59% of people in NI had signed the Organ Donor Register (1,099,396 / 57% to opt-in and 29,965 / 2% to opt-out)
  • The law around organ donation changed to an opt-out system on 1 June 2023. The law is known as 'Dáithí's Law' means, in the event that organ donation is a possibility after you die, it will be considered that you agree to being an organ donor unless you choose to opt out or are in an excluded group.
  • No one is automatically added to the NHS Organ Donor Register, unless you record a decision, no details will be held for you.  You can opt-in, opt-out or change your decision at any time
  • Even though the law has changed, everyone is encouraged to continue to record opt-in decisions on the NHS Organ Donor Register. This helps to leave them certain of your decision as families will always be involved before organ donation goes ahead
  • It is quick and easy to register your decision on the NHS Organ Donor Register. Call 0300 123 23 23 or visit www.organdonation.nhs.uk
  • Anyone can join the NHS Organ Donor Register; age and medical conditions are not necessarily a barrier to donation
  • Whatever you decide, it is important talk with your loved ones to give them the certainty they need to support your decision
  • Families are always involved in organ donation discussions. You can make things easier for your family by telling them you want to happen.
  • Only 50% of families agree to donation if they don’t know their loved one’s decision, but this rises to 90% if they know their loved one wanted to donate
  • One donor can save or transform up to nine lives through organ donation and save and transform even more by donating tissue
  • Each year in Northern Ireland around 10-15 people die while awaiting a transplant
  • Only 1% of people die in situations where donation is possible (in hospital in specific circumstances), therefore every donation is precious
  • 90% of people in Northern Ireland support organ donation

  • You can become a living donor: 

    Across the UK, more than 1,000 people each year donate a kidney or part of their liver while they are still alive to a relative, friend or even someone they do not know. The most commonly donated organ by a living person is a kidney. Part of a liver can also be transplanted from a living donor to help someone in need of a liver transplant.

 

NHS Blood and Transplant 

NHS Blood and Transplant provides the organ donation service for the UK. They also provide donated tissues, stem cells and cord blood. They are an essential part of the NHS, saving and improving lives through public donation.