Organ donation

Transplants are one of the most miraculous achievements of modern medicine.

Donating your organs can help as many as 9 people to lead healthier and longer lives.

About organ donation

Organ donation is the gift of an organ to help someone else who has organ failure and needs a transplant. This can sometimes be while the donor is alive, but more often after death.

Organs that can be donated after death include the:

  • heart
  • lungs
  • kidneys
  • liver
  • pancreas
  • small bowel

Tissue such as skin, bone, heart valves and corneas can also be used to help others.

Organ donation law

In England, you're considered to have agreed to be an organ donor when you die unless:

  • you have recorded a decision not to donate
  • are in one of the excluded groups

You still have a choice whether or not you wish to become a donor.

Please record your organ donation decision on the NHS organ donor register. Tell your family and friends what you have decided.

For more information visit the NHS organ donation website.

Watch this video from the NHS organ donation YouTube channel to find out how these changes affect you.

Leave someone a future

Deciding whether to become a donor after you have died is something very personal. It's important that everyone makes their own decision. Talk about your decision with those closest to you so they know your wishes should the time ever come.

By becoming a donor you're giving your agreement to your organs and tissue being used for transplantation. This can save and improve the lives of others after your death.

This video is hosted on the NHS Organ Donation YouTube channel.

This video is hosted on the NHS Organ Donation YouTube channel.

What we do

We have an organ donation committee that fully supports organ and tissue donation. We carry out kidney and pancreas transplants. We also work closely with the Tissue Service to retrieve corneas (the protective transparent layer at the front of the eye) for use in cornea transplants.

We have specialist nurses for organ donation and a dedicated end-of-life-care team who can help to answer any of your questions.

The need for donors has never been greater. Record your organ donation decision on the NHS Organ Donor Register and give the gift of life today.

Last updated: October 2023

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