Nurse says organ donation leaves a 'legacy'

In Cornwall 85 people are currently waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant

A nurse in Cornwall said families of people who have donated organs have "a lot of pride".

The NHS said in Cornwall 85 people are currently waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant.

Last year in the region 13 patients received a lifesaving or lifechanging organ transplant.

Rebecca Tolmon, a specialist nurse in charge of organ donation in Cornwall, said organ donation is a "legacy" and those people have "gone on to save other people's lives".

Three years ago the law around organ donation in England changed and now all adults in England are considered to have agreed to be an organ donor when they die unless they have declared otherwise.

Ms Tolmon said: "What we find is that the incredibly brave families across Cornwall who support organ donation get a lot of pride.

"It's a legacy that their loved one has gone on to save other people's lives."

Ms Tolmon, who is based at Royal Cornwall Hospital, added: "It's very, very rare for someone to be in the position to become an organ donor.

"It's actually only about 1% of the deaths that happen in the UK every year. That's why we have a problem meeting the transplant wait list.

"Part of my role is to support that family all the way through the initial breaking bad news through until after their bereavement and after that person has become a donor."

Claire Bray, from Cornwall Hospice Care, said having conversations about organ donation is important when people are receiving end-of-life care.

She said: "When we see people we encourage them to have those big kinds of conversations so we talk a lot about encouraging those conversations earlier.

"The earlier you can do them, write the relevant paperwork and fill in the forms, it's better and it's so much easier for family to know your wishes."