This is a confidential computerised database holding the names of 23.6 million people across the UK (36% of population) who have decided that they wish to donate their organs should they ever die in circumstances where this was possible. This is an increase of 1.1million people on the NHS Organ Donor Register in one year (2016-2017), and an increase of 4.9 million over the past five years.
As of October 2017, 734,366 people from Northern Ireland were on this register – roughly 40% of the population. Numbers on the register in Northern Ireland have been rising steadily since 2011 and the increase in numbers in that time is amongst the highest amongst the regions of the UK.
The number of people awaiting transplants greatly exceeds the number of available organs. We always encourage those who can to become registered organ donors.
There are many ways inwhich you can become an organ donor. Thease are –
- log on to https://www.organdonation.nhs.uk/ , click the ‘Register’ button and complete the online form
- Call 0300 123 23 23
- Sign up when renewing your driving licence – 58% of registrations in the UK last year (2016 -2017) were through the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA).
In so doing you will join a group of over 734,000 willing donors in Northern Ireland.
Please remember, though, that as well as joining the register it is vitally important that you tell those closest to you that you wish to be an organ donor.