Facts about transplants
A proud record
Ireland has one of the highest rates of organ donation per capita in the world. A total of 3,500 transplants have taken place in Ireland since 1986. There are forty donating hospitals and three transplant centres in Ireland, which are:
- St.Vincent’s Hospital – liver
- The Mater Hospital – heart and lung
- Beaumont Hospital – kidney and pancreas
Of the organs offered, 172 were used for kidney transplants, 68 for liver transplants, 17 for heart transplants and 13 for lung transplants.
The number of kidney transplants increased by 11% and there were 18 living-donor kidney transplants performed during the year.
In 2008, the Mater Hospital conducted 4 heart transplant operations (three less than in 2007). 4 lung transplants took place at the Mater Hospital last year, the same amount as in 2007. A further 6 lung transplants were conducted in the UK on behalf of Irish patients in 2008.
St. Vincent's University Hospital conducted 58 liver transplants in 2008 and has maintained a very high level of transplantation in recent years (182 in the past three years).
In 2008, there were 136 deceased donor kidney transplants performed at Beaumont Hospital and a record 12 of these transplants also included simultaneous transplant of a pancreas. Ten extra kidney transplants were conducted via living donors making an overall total of 146 kidney transplants in Ireland in 2008, the same amount as in 2006 and 2007.
In 2007, the following number of transplants took place: 59 liver transplants: 4 lung transplants: 7 heart transplants: 146 kidney transplants (5 of which were via living donors): 5 pancreas transplants
In 2006, the Mater Hospital performed its first double lung transplant and one year later, the first Cystic Fibrosis lung transplant was performed there. In 2007, St. Vincent’s Hospital carried out its 500th liver transplant.
There are currently 600 patients awaiting transplantation in Ireland. One donor can potentially help nine other people. There are on average 80 donations in Ireland a year resulting in approximately 250 transplants being performed.
All organ donations in Ireland are coordinated through the Irish Organ Procurement Office at Beaumont Hospital. Strict ethical guidelines protect the interests of organ donors, their families and transplant recipients, and anonymity is maintained regarding the identity of the donor and recipients.
If you wish to become an organ donor after your death you should inform your next-of-kin of your intentions. In Ireland, consent is never presumed, even if a donor card has been signed. Your next-of-kin would always be consulted and asked for consent in order for donation to proceed.
The majority of the world’s religions support organ donation.
Check out our links page for web sites with additional information on organ transplants.
