Organ transplant

[Bolly]

There are a few posts/posters on here about liver transplants, or people with advanced liver disease who might, in the future, need to be assessed for a liver transplant.

It popped into my head, if we would be prepared to accept a liver transplant, would we also be prepared to donate our organs for transplant? Its not just livers that are transplanted, but kidneys, heart, lungs, pancreas and the small bowel can all be transplanted. Donors can also give bone and tissue such as skin, heart valves and tendons. Skin grafts have helped people with severe burns and bone is used in orthopaedic surgery.

I dont know, but assume that just because your liver is damaged it doesnt mean you dont have decent kidneys, heart, pancreas etc. Organs from patients with HIV and hepatitis are normally excluded, but can be transplanted into a patient with the same BBV. I think CJD is excluded too. Ultimately the final decision is made by the surgeon on the day of harvest/transplant.

So here's a thought. Would YOU be willing to accept a liver transplant? Then sign up to the donor register here organdonation.nhs.uk/.

I have. Would you? It only takes a few minutes and could save a few lives.

[Bigplanet]

I have registered years ago prior to my condition. Anyone can have what is left of my organs. Medical science or for transplantation. All I ask is leave my eyes allow, and if the medical world want my organs or allowed to donate because of blood donation rules.

[jojojostan]

I remember playing shop 25+ years ago with my mums donor card as my credit card. She has just had a liver transplant after cirrhosis and this week is returning swimming. I believe karma was certainly in play. Everyone should be on the donor register but should be able to opt out of course not opt in.

[cookiecrumbles]

I always carried my card many years ago and also registered years ago prior to my diagnosis of HCV and end stage liver disease. Although my liver is obviously not much use for someone it could be used for medical purposes/science but have no problems with anything being used but realise it is such a personal decision. I also agree it should be 'opt out' if you don't want to donate. Although there are many who do not like talking about their demise to family members it has to be done and your requests and wishes have to be calmly and clearly expressed.

[bejay]

your comments got me thinking - i think i,m registered , but re registered to make sure , i,ve told my husband and as i don,t have a card at the moment i have put a note in my purse signed and dated to day in case i have an accident .

i,m on the liver transplant list as i have a genetic problem , . Thanks again for getting me thinking

[Bigplanet]

I have also put this information in my living will and all relatives know my wishes. Recommend every one does one too. But I will do again as I know they have a central database know.

[Tracy0512]

My boyfriend is having the second part of his liver transplant assessment in two weeks time. His problem is a complication of an rta 3 years ago. Both been on donor list for as long as I can remember. I have no problem donating any of my organs. I also give blood as I m O negative and it matches everything.

[Pensylvania]

Hey Bolly. I too, like some of the others have had an organ transplant donor card for many years. I have always believed that its a good and noble thing. I will, however make sure its known, by going onto the website you've provided. Pen x

[findasolution]

I read articles in yesterday's newspapers the gist of which seemed to be that some medical authorities ( in UK) have actually been selling donor's organs (the articles specifically related to livers) for use in transplant procedures involving wealthy overseas clients and that local needy NHS patients were being by passed in the process.

When signing up as an organ donor is there any way that this can be done on some form of condition that prohibits this kind of exploitation?

[Some-bits-not-original in reply to findasolution]

Beware of a twisted story, don't forget all papers will make the story fit their political slant.

telegraph.co.uk/health/heal...

I think the parts that read:-

''Donated organs are first offered to NHS patients, and only allocated to foreigners if no match can be found.

It is understood that the livers transplanted into foreign patients at King’s would otherwise have been discarded''.

Although reading some of the comments below in the piece in the Telegraph it does seem to pander to it's readership, some of the comments did make my blood boil but what can you do, why let facts get in the way of a 'good' story.

[Bolly]

Don't know anything about this story, but do know that in 2012 there was a review of the donor liver distribution and allocation Scheme

The Hepatitis C Trust, together with other liver patient support charities and liver disease charities met up with NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) to discuss proposals, see link here:

hepctrust.org.uk/News_Resou....

When this article was printed there was no 'blanket' scheme for organ harvest/donation - allocation criteria varied county to county, health trust to health trust, liver transplant centre to liver transplant centre. Not sure what stage this review is at, but the proposal being put forward was that there should be a national scheme but there are so many complex variables I'm not sure if it was resolved.

Assuming criteria still vary liver transplant centre to liver transplant centre, (and there are 7 centres in the UK) I'd be interested to know which centre this newspaper story refers to, if it did in fact refer to a particular centre or centre(s).

You dont literally 'sign' anything to join the organ donor register, it can by done online without a signature. But I believe you do have to inform your next of kin of your wishes, not just carry a card, so you could let them know that you prohibit your organs being donated to anyone outside the NHS, I guess.

[Some-bits-not-original in reply to Bolly]

Here are two links to the story

telegraph.co.uk/health/heal... and telegraph.co.uk/health/heal...

The 'outing' of problems like this stuff in the press (if indeed it is a problem), does i think have a affect on peoples thoughts on donating.

The story seems to be based around King Collage Hospital in London, were i had my transplants by-the-way.

[Some-bits-not-original in reply to Some-bits-not-original]

Sorry about that, seemed to have cocked that up. I'll try again :-telegraph.co.uk/health/heal... and dailymail.co.uk/health/arti...

Hope it works this time.

[Bolly]

Sounds like what this is comparing is the ethics of NHS hospitals providing private healthcare. Whether that healthcare is mending a broken finger or transplanting an organ are the ethics the same?.. Muddied by these private liver transplants being done in a UK hospital on people who were, presumably, not resident in the UK but some of them were EU citizens?

Is there be a line drawn between what is acceptable on the NHS and what should be paid for by EU citizens. Should we offer healthcare at all levels to non EU visitors? What healthcare would we expect if we were taken ill while in the EU or elsewhere. I dont know for sure, but I thought one could only get primary care or A&E care free within the EU, any hospital care having to be paid for by insurance as a matter of norm.