Supporters of organ donation are being urged to make their wishes count by joining the NHS Organ Donor Register.

The call from UK Transplant comes as new research reveals that despite continuing high levels of support for organ donation, just 32 per cent of would-be donors have recorded their intention to donate by joining the register.

UK Transplant managing and transplant director Chris Rudge said: “There are clearly many generous people in the UK who are committed to saving lives through organ donation, but have yet to take the vital step of confirming their wishes on the register.”
 
The research, which was commissioned ahead of National Transplant Week, which will run from 7-14 June, found that among those in favour of organ donation, 32 per cent have joined the register, 61 per cent have not and 7 per cent were unsure. It found that inertia is the most common reason for not joining the register, with 31 per cent of those in favour saying they had never got around to it. Another 17 per cent said that didn’t know how to sign up, while 13 per cent were concerned that they might change their minds in the future, although entry on the register can be withdrawn at any time.

Rudge added: “The theme of this year’s National Transplant Week is ‘What are you waiting for?’ and the question is a good one. I urge everyone who supports donation to demonstrate their commitment by signing up, and discussing their wishes with their families.”

UK transplant said that joining the NHS Organ Donor Register is the most secure way to record an intention to donate, and to date more than 14.4 million people have made the pledge. More than 9,000 people in the UK need an organ transplant to save or dramatically improve their lives but the shortage of donors means that just 3,000 transplants can be performed each year.