THE NUMBER of people who are waiting for a heart has nearly doubled in a decade.
As a result of the 85% increase, NHS Blood and Transplant is urging families to have a heart-to-heart about organ donation.
It says that more than 300 people, including 40 children, are waiting for the operation, despite transplants continuing throughout the pandemic.
Anthony Clarkson, director of organ and tissue donation and transplantation at NHS Blood and Transplant, says: “Thousands of people across the UK are waiting for the call that a donor has been found to save or transform their life, and hundreds of them need a heart transplant.
“We encourage everyone in Berkshire to have that heart-to-heart now.
“Talk to your family and tell them your organ donation decision, leave them certain of it. And make sure you know what they would want too, so you can support their decision.”
And this view was echoed by the minister for primary care, Maria Caulfield.
“It’s vital more people consider becoming organ donors, especially those from black, Asian and other ethnic minority backgrounds,” she said.
For more information, or to register for organ donation decision, visit: www.organdonation.nhs.uk or call 0300 123 23 23.
“NHS app users can also use the service to record, check or update their organ donation decision.
