Record year for transplants in Irish hospitals

Last year was a record year for organ transplantation, with 294 transplants carried out in Irish hospitals.

Some 32 lung, 11 heart, 55 liver, 11 pancreas and 185 kidney transplants were performed in 2013, up from a total of 27 transplants the year before, according to the annual report of the HSE’s National Organ Donation and Transplantation Office.

All the operations were carried out in three Dublin hospitals, the Mater, St Vincent’s and Beaumont.

The organs went to 246 people and were provided by the families of 86 deceased donors who agreed to donate their loved one’s organs. A record 20 per cent of all kidney transplants were made possible by living donors who donated a kidney. Of the 147 kidney transplants from deceased donors, 11 were combined kidney and pancreas transplants.

Professor Jim Egan, director of the office, said Ireland was comparing favourably with the UK and other European countries for survival rates.

More organs were needed, he said. “I would encourage everyone to have a conversation with their loved ones and let their wishes be known about organ donation. This will make decisions easier for families who are faced with the question of organ donation.”

Dr Philip Crowley, director of patient safety at the HSE, described the figure as a significant achievement for patients and the health service.

The office, which has received additional funding to enhance services, aims to increase transplant rates by 7 per cent this year and to reduce waiting times for transplant patients.

View: HSE's Annual Organ Donation Report 2013 here

View report on Irish Times