Organ donation register expands in Scotland to over half the population

Over half of Scots are now registered to donate their organs to medicine after their deaths, the highest rate in the UK.

New figures show there are 2,724,358 people in Scotland on the UK Organ Donor Register, 50.4 per cent of the population.

Across the UK the figure is 38 per cent.

The need for organ donation has been raised in recent years as plans to introduce an ‘opt-out’ system have been lodged at Holyrood.

This would change the law so that people would automatically donate their organs to those needing transplants unless they have told their doctor they do not wish it to happen.

Approximately 550 people in Scotland are currently waiting for an organ transplant.

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said: “Just over half of Scotland’s people have registered to donate their organs or tissue after death, reflecting both their incredible generosity and the progress we have made in highlighting the need for organ donors.

“However, we need more people to register. Most organ and tissue donations can only occur in tragic circumstances, and only one per cent of people die in circumstances where they could be an organ donor. Registering only takes two minutes and could save or transform someone’s life.”

Mr Marc Clancy, consultant transplant surgeon at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, said: “I have seen the unit grow from a small size performing 60 transplants a year to become the largest in Scotland.

“We are now transplanting 180 organs annually while achieving some of the best success rates in the UK. This is testament to the commitment of our staff and the national drive to expand organ donation.”