Public Health Agency urges public action as patients face life-or-death wait for organ transplants

More people than ever are waiting for a life-saving organ transplant in the UK, as demand continues to exceed the number of donated organs available. 

The Public Health Agency is therefore asking people to take action by registering their decision on the NHS Organ Donor Register and discussing it with loved ones.

While public support for organ donation remains high, new figures released by NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) reveal the stark reality that across the UK 8,096 patients, including 276 children, were on the active transplant waiting list as of 31 March 2025.  In Northern Ireland, the figure was 163, up from 151 at the same time last year despite 122 organ transplants proceeding during 2024/25. That’s 163 people here living in daily uncertainty, unsure if they will get the organ they need to save their life.

The Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplantation Activity Report, shows that in the UK in 2024/25:

• 4,583 patients received organ transplants – 2 per cent less than the previous year
• 1,403 people donated organs after death – a 7 per cent decrease on the year before

Many people don’t realise that to be an organ donor after death, a person needs to die in hospital in specific circumstances.  This applies to just 1% of people, making every donation precious, and every donation conversation critical. 

In relation to deceased donation, last year in Northern Ireland, there were 51 consented donors with 44 of these proceeding, a drop from 64 proceeding the previous year.  There was a consent rate of 59 per cent among potential donors.  While there is a UK-wide drop in donor numbers, Northern Ireland has one of the highest number of donors per million population (pmp) at 23 pmp.  Support for organ donation in Northern Ireland remains constant and high at 90%, and by 31 March we had the highest number of registrations to the NHS Organ Donor Register at 58%, compared to other UK regions.  The 44 incredible donors last year enabled a total 123 transplants, giving the gift of life to those in need.

Today, Aidan Dawson, Chief Executive of the Public Health Agency, is urging people to take action by registering their decision on the NHS Organ Donor Register and having that vital conversation with loved ones.

"We need more people to register their decision to donate and to have these vital conversations with their families, because if you want to be an organ donor should this be possible after you die, your family needs to know. 

Last year in Northern Ireland, 83 per cent of people who donated after death had made their decision known to loved ones.  Families are far more likely to support donation when they know it’s what their relative wanted.  So help leave them certain.”  

People can also become a living organ donor by donating a kidney or part of their liver - living donors now account for over 40 per cent (991) of all organ donations in the UK in 2024/25. The Activity Report shows that, in Northern Ireland, there were 68 living donors during 2024/25 and 61 living donor transplants, up from 55 the previous year.

Sadly, every day in the UK someone dies waiting for a transplant. Last year 8 people in Northern Ireland died waiting for the gift of life.

Organ donation in Northern Ireland changed to an ‘opt-out’ system in June 2023. Under ‘Dáithí’s Law’ donation can still only go ahead with the family’s support, which is why it remains important to have the conversation and leave your loved ones certain of your decision.

Last year, Dáithí’s Law helped support almost a quarter of the 44 proceeding donors.  Deemed Consent is applied when a loved one has not registered to opt out or expressed any decision.

Campaigner for the law change Máirtín Mac Gabhann, whose son the law was named after, welcomed the contribution Dáithí’s Law has made, saying:

“We are incredibly proud that Dáithí’s Law is already playing a role in saving lives, with almost a quarter of last year’s organ donations here supported through deemed consent. That impact is very real, and hopefully it’s just the beginning.

We’re also so proud of our Dáithí, not just for inspiring this law, but for helping to change how we, as a society, talk about organ donation. What could have been an avoided subject is now part of everyday conversations in schools, homes and communities, and we are very grateful. 

None of this would be possible without donors and their families. Their bravery and compassion by thinking of others in their darkest hour makes them true heroes and it’s something we are forever grateful for.

We need to keep building on this progress. We would like more people to join the NHS Organ Donor Register, to talk to their loved ones, and to support this life-saving cause. Dáithí’s Law has moved us forward as a society, but there’s still a lot more to do, and more lives that can be saved.”

Thanks to the heroes and families who said yes to organ donation last year, Louise Kielty from Lurgan was lucky to receive her Call for a life-saving liver transplant in July 2024.  Louise told us the difference this has made to her life.

“I received a split liver, which means the liver was able to be divided and transplanted to both me and another recipient.  In this case, a one-year-old baby boy.  That’s two lives saved with one organ donation.  Imagine how many other people have benefited from other organs of this one donor . . .?

My life is now foreseeable beyond the possible 5 years that consultants told me I may only have had without transplant, that and a steadily deteriorating quality of health.   

I wrote a letter to the anonymous donor’s family in the January of 2025, when I had returned to work & good health.  In it I tried to express my deep gratitude and appreciation for the unimaginable decision their family had made in agreeing to donation at such a time of loss for them. 

My words to them seem inadequate in relating just how my life has changed as a result of their amazing gift to me: being able to return to work fulltime; of the health and stamina the donation has given to me; of the joy each day gives me; of a future full of life’s appreciation and anticipation.”

To find out more, or to register your organ donation decision visit: www.organdonationni.info or call 0300 123 23 23.