4:00pm Wednesday 25th March 2009
By Lucie Richards
A SURVEY has revealed people’s reasons for not opting to donate their organs to the NHS after death.
Respondents said they were worried that doctors would not make every possible effort to help a patient who was a potential organ donor. They also said they were concerned about the level of respect given to a deceased person’s body.
Both were among the top reasons given for not joining the NHS Organ Donor Register. The survey also found that the most common reason for not wanting to register was to avoid thinking about dying.
The findings came from an online survey conducted through NHS Blood and Transplant’s (NHSBT) website.
More than 5,000 people responded, with 90 per cent supporting organ donation and transplantation.
Of those undecided or against joining the register, more than half said they were worried about how their body would be treated after death.
Dr Paul Murphy, an intensive care consultant and NHSBT’s National Clinical Lead for Organ Donation, said: “I cannot tell you just how much respect and honour my staff have for patients who donate organs after their death.
“We do everything we can to maintain an individual’s dignity throughout – why would we do any less when you consider the tremendous gift they are making?”
He added: “As an intensive care doctor, I can give the public my absolute assurance that we always have – and we always will – do everything we can to save the lives of our patients, and that we have particular safeguards in place to ensure staff who may be subsequently involved in transplantation have no involvement in the care of a patient who might become a donor.”
According to the NHS, more than a quarter of the UK population have joined the organ donor register, but almost 8,000 people are waiting for donations and about 1,000 people die waiting due to the organ shortage.
To join call the Organ Donor Line, on 0845 6060400, or go to organdonation.nhs.uk.
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