ORGAN DONATION THE CHALLENGES AHEAD Sister Lee Alexander Regional Donor Transplant Co-ordinator Specialist Nurse – Organ Donation

The National Challenge

Deceased donors, transplants and active transplant list : UK

Potential Donor Audit Increase in family refusals Widespread public support for organ donation yet family refusal rate for donation was 40% When someone’s wishes are known family refusal drops to less that 10% But only 28% are registered on the NHS ODR

Organ Donation Taskforce Ministerial Task Force –established in November 2006 Its brief was –to overcome barriers to the organ donation and transplantation process and recommend solutions within existing operational and legal frameworks Its report ‘Organs for Transplant’ published in January 2008 –14 recommendations, accepted in full by the Government which the Task Force believed would increase organ donation by 50% in five years 18 months into a three year implementation strategy

Main Recommendations A donation committee to be established in each Trust Clinical Lead for Organ Donation to be appointed for each Trust Specialist Nurses – Organ Donation resident in each level 1 Trust Making donation “usual not unusual” Minimum notification criteria to be established in each critical care area

OUR CHALLENGE AT BVH

We need to make donation “usual not unusual”. How???

Minimum Notification Criteria Ensuring all appropriate patients are referred to the Organ Donation Specialist Nurses from the Critical Care Areas. Bringing the option of donation into end of life discussions.

We can’t work alone! Work in conjunction with:- Bereavement Services Specialist Palliative Care Services

Blackpool patients listed for transplant Kidney only – 47 Heart – 2 Liver – 1 Single Lung – 1 Kidney + Pancreas – 1 Total = 52 25/05/2010

What can be donated?

Heart A heart transplant can return a person to near normal life Lungs Single and double lung transplant along with heart lung transplant is a second chance at life Liver Children and adults need this lifesaving transplant Kidneys From each organ donor, two people can be free from dialysis Pancreas/Islet Cell Can dramatically improve or cure diabetes Iliac Crest Made into several blocks; for spinal fusion and stabilization Saphenous & Femoral Veins To replace blocked arteries in heart bypass surgery; also used for limb saving reconstructive surgeries Skin Life-saving temporary skin replacement for severely burned patients; also used for trauma reconstruction Tendons for knees, ankle and shoulder repair and stabilization surgery Long Bones & Connective Tissue Long bones for whole or partial replacement to repair skeletal defects caused by cancer, degenerative diseases, trauma or birth defects Heart Valves To replace defective or diseased valves Intestine For children with malabsorption or congenital defects Corneas To restore or improve sight

The two sides of donation - Why we do what we do?

About Me: “24 years old, small blonde and smiley. I love life, but was facing a death sentence due to end stage cystic fibrosis”

For me, transplantation equals hope, a chance, a rainbow. It offers a hope that there are better things to come. Hope that you might step through the looking glass and experience a life you've not dared to dream about in case it should not materialise. And that dream alone is worth fighting for, especially as when it comes true, it's bigger, better and more colourful than you ever could have imagined. (Emily Thackray)

“Transplants don't last forever. Sad but true. But do you know what? If it all ended tomorrow, I've already done a billion and one things I never thought I'd do, seen a billion and one things I never thought I'd see. I've experienced "normal" life...all thanks to one person, one decision...one family”

Schoolboy, 10, killed in road crash saves lives of FIVE people after donating his organs “George wanted to change things for the better and his attitude was 'if you think you can, you can.' He will certainly have changed the lives of those five people and we are very proud of him” (Sarah and Jonathan Higginson)

Who can be a donor?

The Facts! You are more likely to need a transplant than to become a donor. Although 90% of the population support donation, only 28% are on the Organ Donor Register. Over 10,000 people are currently waiting for a transplant. Last year over 1,000 people died waiting for a transplant. More women than men are on the Organ Donor Register.

ORGAN DONOR REGISTER

The next Members Health Seminar is on:- Wednesday 11 th August – 5 pm Education Centre Lecture Theatre Cataracts/Cornea Problems – Mr Imran Rahman