News and events

Newcastle Hospitals will be proudly flying the flag in support of Organ Donation Week this week.

Flags were raised at both the RVI and the Freeman Hospital, which is home to the Institute of Transplantation - the only specialist centre of its kind in the UK to offer all types of organ transplantation under one room – this morning (3 September).

The national NHS campaign is urging people to talk to their families about organ donation to help make sure more lives are saved or transformed by an organ transplant.

Every day three people die in need of an organ and within the Trust there are currently 166 patients, including 15 children, on the transplant waiting list.

Only around 1% of people die in circumstances where they can donate so every donor is incredibly precious. While families will always be approached about donation if a loved one can donate their organs, knowing what their loved one wanted helps families support their decision at a difficult time.

Chief Executive of Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Dame Jackie Daniel, said: “I am delighted that the Trust is actively involved in this national NHS campaign.

“Sadly, many opportunities are lost every year because families don’t know if their loved one wanted to be a donor or not. We can change things, it’s just really important that we encourage people to start conversations about organ donation, which in turn will increase the number of lifesaving transplants we can carry out.”

Latest figures from NHS Blood and Transplant have revealed that 304 people have donated their organs at Newcastle Hospitals over the last ten years, enabling 834 transplants.

Throughout the week, the Trust will be sharing the stories of some of our patients currently waiting for a transplant, those who have benefited from organ transplantation and donor families, as well as featuring the roles of some of our staff involved in organ donation.

Dr Gus Vincent, consultant in critical care and clinical lead for organ donation in the North of England said: “A third of families say ‘no’ when we ask them for permission to allow their loved one to become a donor – one of the highest refusal rates in the world.

“However, we do know from the brave and generous families who do make that decision, that they feel a tremendous sense of pride and comfort from their decision to save lives through organ donation which is why we’re so supportive of this campaign.”

Anthony Clarkson, Interim Director of Organ Donation and Transplantation for NHS Blood and Transplant said: “We are very grateful to Newcastle Hospitals for its support during Organ Donation Week.

“Words save lives. Please, tell your family you want to save lives through organ donation, because it could be the difference between life and death for someone else.”

Millions of people are already on the NHS Organ Donor Register, join them today and tell your family you want to save lives. Register at www.organdonation.nhs.uk