The gift of life through organ donation saves lives. It is often the best and sometimes only treatment available for those who suffer disease or failure of a major organ.
Many patients both old and young receive life-changing transplants each year. This gift however is dependant on the generosity of donors and their families who are willing to consider donation of organs and tissues.
Aims of the Organ Donation Committee
The Organ Donation Committee is formed from a core group of individuals at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) who work closely with many of the hospital services, ensuring that strategies and resources are in place to ensure that donation can occur in a streamlined manner.
We ensure that there are robust policies in place and that we maintain best practice alongside national guidance in all aspects of end of life and donation practices.
We believe that all families should have the opportunity to be involved in decision making around donation and other end of life issues and we strive to ensure these choices are given to families in a timely manner.
The committee also works to promote knowledge and awareness of donation and its benefits throughout the hospital and the wider community.
The figures
Last year there were 2,700 life-saving transplants carried out following 1,010 donors families agreeing to offer the precious gift of life following their loved ones death.
In 2010-11, 44 children in the UK became donors and together made 214 life-saving transplants possible. You can read stories from donor families and patients on the NHS Blood and Transplant website.
The Organ Donor Register (ODR) has now passed 18 million people. Of those registered, over 480,000 are under 18 years old.
Who's who
Dr Joe Brierley
Clinical Lead, Organ Donation
Dr Brierley co-authored an article in the journal Acta Paediatrica last September calling for changes to the current organ donation process and can also be heard on BBC Radio 4's Women Hour talking about why he thinks the issue of organ donation should be added to the National Curriculum.
Angie Scales
Specialist Nurse, Organ Donation
Martin Ingram
Donation Committee Chair
Elaine Copley
Donation Committee Vice Chair
Join the Organ Donor Register
To find out more about organ donation, please visit the NHS Blood and Transplant website, call the Organ Donor Line on 0300 123 2323 or text the word 'SAVE' to 84118.
