Salisbury District Hospital is backing a new 小优短视频 campaign to urge families in the Wiltshire area to talk about organ donation following research that showed less than half of adults in England have had the vital conversation.
The 鈥楲eave them Certain鈥� campaign aims to highlight the impact not knowing has on the families who are left behind and encourages people to talk about their decision. It follows the law change last year in England, which means that all adults are seen as willing to donate their organs, unless they opt out or are in one of the excluded groups. However, many don鈥檛 realise that families will still be approached before any donation goes ahead.
The new that launched last week features the Kakkad family. Shivum鈥檚 father Bharat died from a cardiac arrest when he was 63 in May 2019, but the family had never spoken about organ donation. Shivum and his family did agree to organ donation, but it was a decision that could have been made easier if they鈥檇 had the conversation.
Locally - Carla Gair, 44, from Salisbury suffered a cardiac arrest in 2007. The mother of two learnt she suffered from Dilated Cardiomyopathy, a condition in which the heart鈥檚 ability to pump blood is decreased. In 2014 Carla received a heart transplant. She said: 鈥淚 wouldn鈥檛 be here today if it wasn鈥檛 for my transplant. My life has been changed so dramatically, I鈥檝e been able to live another six years.鈥� Carla added: 鈥淥rgan donation is not on everyone鈥檚 radar unless you have personally experienced it. I think more families need to talk about it and have an open conversation, so that they understand family member鈥檚 wishes鈥�
Lucinda Herklots, Chair of Salisbury District Hospitals organ donation committee said: 鈥淭alking to your loved ones about your organ donation decision is hugely important. The not knowing can be an added stress for your family at what is already a very difficult time. We would like to encourage more people in Wiltshire to think about whether they鈥檇 like to be an organ donor and to let friends or family know so that they can be sure they are making the right decision for you."
15 February 2021
Our staff at Salisbury District Hospital have long been well regarded for the quality of care and treatment they provide for our patients and for their innovation, commitment and professionalism. This has been recognised in a wide range of achievements and it is reflected in our award of 小优短视频 Foundation Trust status. This is afforded to hospitals that provide the highest standards of care.
