The Western Health and Social Care Trust has achieved a gold standard in organ donation performance after facilitating nine organ donors that led to 19 patients receiving life-saving or life-changing transplants in the 2025-2026 financial year.

Trust Board Chairman Tom Frawley praised staff at Altnagelvin Hospital and South West Acute Hospital for their outstanding engagement with potential donors, describing it as a tribute to all involved in a complex process. He also thanked donor families, noting their selfless decisions reflect the generosity of the communities served by the trust.

Clinician Lead for Organ Donation Dr Michelle Fallon said the results reflect the compassion and professionalism of specialist nurses and ICU colleagues. She emphasized that demand for transplants continues to grow and urged people to record their decision on the NHS Organ Donor Register, noting that even with opt-out legislation, family support remains essential. One donor can save up to nine lives, she added.

Frawley said the challenge now is to maintain focus going forward, and Dr Fallon stressed that talking about organ donation with loved ones can ensure wishes are respected and may encourage others to register.