Regina Doherty
Question:606. Deputy Regina Doherty asked the Minister for Health the initiatives there are to encourage live organ donations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51256/12]
View answerTuesday, 20 November 2012
Questions (606)
Written answers
Members of the National Renal Transplant Programme as well as members of the senior management team at Beaumont Hospital are actively working with the HSE's National Organ Donation and Transplantation Office and my Department to increase the rate of kidney transplantation, especially using living organ donation. Approximately 30 living donor transplants, the highest number ever, will be performed in 2012 and Beaumont Hospital has developed plans to increase this in the future.
Patients who require a transplant, meet with a surgeon and a transplant co-ordinator in preparation for their placement on the transplant list for a deceased donor. At this stage also, the possibility of live donation is discussed on an individual basis.
Members of the Irish Kidney Association and the Irish Donor Network create a greater awareness of this form of donation and recent media coverage of living kidney donation by well known personalities, has heightened awareness of this procedure.