Irish hospitals need new post of transplant coordinator

Posted by Bronwen Maher on March 19, 2010 at 02:18 PM

Ireland East MEP Nessa Childers today voted in the European Parliament, calling for action on organ donation and transplantation across Europe.

Approving an European Commission action plan to strengthen organ cooperation between member states, Ms Childers praised in particular for plans for a new 'transplant coordinator' at hospitals in each member-state.

Ms Childers, Ireland's only full member on the powerful Environment, Public Health and Food Safety Committee, said "Ireland has a strong record on organ donation and transplantation, with organ donations in 2009 up 21% on the previous year, including a notable rise in much needed kidney donations.

"However, the number of people who die each year due to a lack of organs is still far too high, and that is the main subject of this new European Commission report. The action plan calls for a campaign to highlight public awareness of the need for organs, and the creation in every Irish hospital of the job of Coordinator of Transplant Donations.

“The idea of a special organ consultant has been trialed in Spain over the past few years, with enormous success. Spain is very much the world leader for organ transplants with over 4000 successful operations last year.

"This success has been in part due to a high level of public awareness of the need for organs, but above all because of the creation in every Spanish hospital of the job of Coordinator of Transplant Donations. This post deals with doctor's training, personal intensive care, and is involved in all steps of the donation chain, from identifying the donor, talking to their family, and, if there is agreement, the transfer and actual organ transplant.

“There are currently 600 people awaiting life saving operations in Ireland, according to the Irish Kidney Association, while only 81 deceased Irish people gave up their organs in 2008. These 81 people, however, saved 241 lives. If the 600 people currently on the list are also to be saved, innovations like those cited in the report approved in the European Parliament this week must be given the resources which they deserve.

"While cuts continue in all areas of the public service, it is crucial that the health service is given special consideration, and that while key recommendations cited in the Commission's action plan become common European practice, Ireland must not be left lagging behind."

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