New Organ Donor Register launched

donation

A new, updated version of the NHS Organ Donor Register was officially launched across the UK yesterday, extending the choices a person has about their organ donation wishes.

As well as being able to record a decision to be an organ donor, the new Register will now, for the first time, enable people in Scotland to record their choice not to be an organ donor .

Existing registrations from the old NHS Organ Donor Register have been transferred to the new Register by NHS Blood and Transplant.

Public Health Minister, Maureen Watt, said: “The new NHS Organ Donor Register provides a more modern system which extends the choices people can make.

“Whether you choose to be an organ donor or would like the NHS to know your decision not to be one, I would encourage everyone to take some time to think carefully about the important issue of organ donation and make your wishes known through the new Register.

“However it is also vitally important that people make their wishes known to family and friends so that those wishes can be honoured in the event of a loved one’s death.

“While joining the Register is important, two thirds of people who donated their organs in the last five years weren’t on the NHS Organ Donor Register. Families who are aware of their loved one’s organ donation wishes are twice as likely to say ‘yes’ to donating their organs.

“If you register without telling the people closest to you, it may come as a surprise to them. Knowing organ donation is what you would have wanted could make their decision a lot easier to live with at a time when they are trying to deal with their loss.

“Therefore the new Register provides an ideal opportunity for people across Scotland to make sure their choices are up-to-date and to talk to family and friends about their decision to donate.”

41 per cent of Scots are now on the NHS Organ Donor Register.

To find out more about organ donation and to join the new NHS Organ Donor Register, visit www.organdonationscotland.org

RNLI urges: Respect the Water

Over 200 people die accidentally each year in British and Irish waters – and more than half of those who drowned didn’t even plan to get wet …

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The RNLI has launched a drowning prevention campaign which aims to reduce deaths by 50%. The ‘Respect the Water’ campaign coincides with the release of figures showing that 24 people died in Scotland’s coastal waters last year.

Over the past five years, an average of 35 people have drowned in Scotland and RNLI aims to halve the number of drownings by 2024.

Most of the deaths – almost a quarter – occurred when people slipped and fell into the water while walking and running. Other causes include people at work (14%), diving (13%), swimming and/or deliberately jumping into the sea (9%) and angling (6%).

RNLI lifeboat crews in Scotland saved 51 lives in 2014, and the charity has highlighted dangers which can be more common in Scotland.

After falling in, people can experience cold water shock or the effects of strong currents under the surface. There are also problems with slippery rocks, sudden waves or unstable ground.

RNLI coastal safety manager for Scotland Michael Avril said: “We want people to enjoy the water but to make sure they respect it.
“Around 35 lives are lost around Scotland’s coast each year but many of these losses could be avoided if people acknowledge the dangers and follow some basic safety advice.”

RNLI’s ‘Respect the Water’ campaign includes two films which will be shown in cinemas throughout the UK.

https://www.rnlivideolibrary.org.uk/getvideo.aspx?vid=QhMxynB6

 

 

http://rnli.org/Pages/Video-Details.aspx?VideoItemID=xL1O5RjR