UHDB’s Youth Forum calls for more education for children regarding organ donation | Latest news

UHDB’s Youth Forum calls for more education for children regarding organ donation

Bridgette (left) and Manal (right) of the UHDB Youth Forum

Members of UHDB’s Youth Forum have been discussing their thoughts and wishes regarding organ donation, as well as expressing a desire for more attention to be given to the subject as part of their education.

The law regarding organ donation changed to an opt out system in 2020, but members of the Forum said more needed to be done in order to ensure that young people, as well as their parents and families, are having discussions and sharing their wishes in regards to donating their organs.

This year, organ donation has been added to the National Curriculum for the first time, but Forum members feel more needs to be done to broach the subject with younger generations.

Manal, who is a student at the University of Sunderland, said that talking about organ donation is still “a scary thought” as it involves difficult conversations about end of life care, but thinks the more we address the issue, the more people will be willing to help.

She said: “I think a lot of people still have split opinions about it all. We have never really spoken about it at school, and I think everything that’s been going on throughout the pandemic has probably pushed this to the back of people’s minds.

“But if everyone know how many people died waiting for a transplant, they would be happier to donate as they know they could be helping to save lives.”

NHS Blood and Transplant estimates there to be around 7,000 patients on the UK Transplant Waiting List, and last year, 470 people died awaiting a viable organ donation.

Nearly 3,400 transplants were facilitated in 2020/21, and Forum member Grace said that if more is done to help school children gain a greater understand of organ donation, she is she this number will increase in years to come.

She said: “We were told about the change in law to an opt out system, but that was about it. We have never really been taught about what organ donation means or what it involves, so to have that information would be great in helping us to make that decision for ourselves.

“This would also encourage us to have more conversations with our friends and family about the issue, too.”

Bridgitte, who is a University of Derby student, has been on the organ donor register since her eighteenth birthday, but thinks others aren’t as well aware of the importance of being a donor or how to record their wishes.

She said: “People just need to be more well informed about it all. If your family isn’t aware of what you would like to happen to you, it can come as quite a shock.”

The UHDB Youth Forum aims to improve the quality of care and patient experience for children, young people and their families who access services within the Trust. It is made up of young people aged 13-18 years of age who wish to actively participate in the designing and developing of hospital services in their own community. A member of the Youth Forum represents the voice of other young people at the Council of Governor meetings. 

Eleanor Gambini, Youth Worker in the UHDB Youth Service, said: “It is a big challenge for us to get more people, including the younger generation, to raise the topic of organ donation with their friends and families.

“It’s the best gift that you can give to someone, the gift of life, and allowing those people to be able to spend more time with their loved ones. It’s a really important message so please, share your wishes regarding organ donation with you friends and family so we can help as many people as possible.”

UHDB is now asking people across the area to tell their families that they want to donate after their death to ensure more lives are saved.

To find out more and register your decision, visit the NHS Organ Donor Register and share your decision with your family. Users of the NHS app, can also use this to record, check or amend their details or decision.

Visit the NHS Organ Donor Register website (opens in new window) >

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