People across England are being encouraged to use the NHS App as an easy way to register their organ donation decision – as more than 7,000 patients actively wait for a transplant.
The total number of organ donation decisions registered for the first time through the NHS App has increased by over a fifth over the last year to 546,825 (up 22% from 448,562 last August).
The latest figures, which are being highlighted on the back of last week’s Organ Donation Week, show that 98,263 new organ donation decisions were registered via the NHS App during the period September 2022 – August 2023.
Overall, organ donation preferences have been managed 4.1million times through the NHS App.
NHS England figures show that:
- The NHS App has now had more than 32.8 million sign-ups since its launch in December 2018
- Over 29.1 million repeat prescriptions were ordered via the app in the last year (around 500,000 every week)
- More than 13 million messages have been delivered to NHS patients in the NHS App from GP surgeries, hospitals and national services
- There have been over 480,000 COVID vaccinations booked on the NHS App since November 2022
- Eligible patients will also receive flu and COVID vaccination invitations through the app this winter.
- Registering a preference on organ donation helps NHS specialist nurses to quickly understand people’s wishes, which can ultimately save lives.
NHS England’s Delivery Director for the NHS App Martin O’Neil said: “In a time when more than 7,000 patients are actively waiting for a transplant, it’s really encouraging to see that the total number of organ donation decisions registered for the first time through the NHS App has increased by over 20% in this last year.
Decision
“This is an important decision to make, and another way in which the NHS App is helping patients to manage their choices and access healthcare.
“The NHS App has now had more than 32 million sign-ups across England and is used by people of all ages – from students starting at university and needing to register with a GP to older people using it to order a repeat prescription without the need to make a trip to their GP.
“I’d encourage anyone who hasn’t already downloaded the NHS App to give it a go, so that they too can manage their health at the touch of a button.”
NHS England’s National Director for Transformation Vin Diwakar said: “Organ transplantation is one of the greatest achievements of modern medicine – with nearly 4,600 transplants facilitated across the UK last year.
“With more than 7,000 currently on the waiting list, there is however still lots to do.
“The fact that the NHS App is already sitting in the pockets of millions of people means it’s never been easier to make an informed decision on organ donation. And it’s fantastic to see more than half a million people have already done just that.”
Shortage
The law around organ donation in England has changed.
There has been tremendous progress in organ donation but there is still a shortage of donors.
Wales introduced an opt out system in 2015 and has seen an increase in the number of families supporting a loved one’s decision to donate, resulting in more life-saving transplants for those in need.
All adults in England are now considered to have agreed to be an organ donor when they die unless they have recorded a decision not to donate or are in one of the excluded groups.
Excluded groups are:
- Those under the age of 18
- People who lack the mental capacity to understand the new arrangements and take the necessary action
- Visitors to England, and those not living here voluntarily
- People who have lived in England for less than 12 months before their death
You still have a choice whether or not you want to become an organ donor, and can register or amend your decision at any time.
