The number of patients waiting for organ transplants in the UK has reached over 8,000, with nearly 4,000 more temporarily off the list due to illness. The NHS performed fewer transplants and experienced a decline in organ donations. In the past year, 4,583 transplants were completed, marking a 2% drop from the previous year, while organ donors decreased by 7%. An urgent need exists for more individuals to register as organ donors and discuss their wishes with families, as consent rates from families remain low.
The number of patients waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant in the UK has increased to a record high while there has been a sharp drop in donors.
More than 8,000 people, including almost 300 children, are on the transplant waiting list, and nearly 4,000 more are temporarily off the list.
In total, 4,583 patients had a transplant in 2024/25, down 2% from the previous year. The fall in donors was even more dramatic, with 1,403 organ donors in 2024/25.
We are facing an incredibly concerning situation where more people than ever are waiting for transplants, but fewer donations are taking place.
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