Deceased organ donors drop as transplant list hits record high

PEOPLE are being urged to speak to family about donating organs after 12,000 missed out on lifesaving transplants over the past decade.

- By Hanna Geissler Health Editor

Some 4,900 died while on the waiting list, and 7,700 became too sick for the surgery and were removed.

A record 8,000 are now in the queue but there were 100 fewer deceased organ donors last year, resulting in a 2% drop in operations.

Anthony Clarkson, a director at NHS Blood and Transplant, said: "Someone will die today waiting for an organ transplant.

"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 — but far fewer of us have made the decision to donate.