News / Organ donors wanted
MORE than one third of Shetland residents have signed up to the NHS organ donor register, but most have probably yet to discuss their wishes with their families.
As well as asking for more people to donate their organs to medical science after their death and potentially save someone else’s life, the health service wants people who have already made that choice to share it with their families.
Almost 38 per cent of people in Shetland have signed the register, but research suggests that only one-in-ten of those have told anyone else about their wishes.
At the moment only about 60 per cent of families allow their relative’s organs to be donated. If this could be increased to 80 per cent, another 90 lives in Scotland could be saved, the NHS says.
NHS Shetland public health director Sarah Taylor said: “This is a really important issue, and we would hope that this publicity prompts local people who haven’t thought about it before to register for organ donation and to have that conversation with their families.
“Despite our distance from the mainland, it is still something that we can all volunteer for, and is a really important way of saving lives.”
People can join the NHS organ donor register by visiting organdonationscotland.org
Become a supporter of Shetland News
Shetland News is asking its many readers to consider start paying for their dose of the latest local news delivered straight to their PC, tablet or mobile phone.
Journalism comes at a price and because that price is not being paid in today’s rapidly changing media world, most publishers - national and local - struggle financially despite very healthy audience figures.
Most online publishers have started charging for access to their websites, others have chosen a different route. Shetland News currently has over 600 supporters who are all making small voluntary financial contributions. All funds go towards covering our cost and improving the service further.
Your contribution will ensure Shetland News can: -
- Bring you the headlines as they happen;
- Stay editorially independent;
- Give a voice to the community;
- Grow site traffic further;
- Research and publish more in-depth news, including more Shetland Lives features.
If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a supporter of Shetland News by either making a single payment or monthly subscription.
Support us from as little as £3 per month – it only takes a minute to sign up. Thank you.
Already a supporter? Sign in to hide this message.
