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

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.