Organ donations up 50%

The figures were released by NHS Blood and Transplantas it celebrated 50% increase in deceased organ donors from 2008, when the four UK administrations accepted the recommendations of the 2008 Organ Donation Taskforce.

More than 3,100 lives were transformed by deceased donors in the last 12 months.

"This is an outstanding achievement that few thought possible at the time this ambition was set. It is the result of the hard work and dedication of staff in hospitals and communities across the country," said Bill Fullagar, NHS Blood and Transplant Chairman.

"We must also share our heartfelt thanks with every family who, at a great time of sadness, supported their loves one's wish to donate their organs and transform the lives of up to nine other people."

However, in 2011/12, 125 families overruled the individual's intention, recorded on the NHS Organ Donor Register, to become an organ donor.

Intensive care consultant Dr Paul Murphy said: “This is often because they were unaware that this was what they wanted and found it difficult to come to terms with at such an awful time of loss."

He added: "Delivering the 50% increase is a landmark event in donation and transplantation for the UK.

“It is testament to the changes we have made at every level in hospitals to deliver this, to the commitment of critical care and emergency department staff to donation, and most of all to the generosity of donors and their families. But we can and must do more, because patients continue to die needlessly waiting for an organ transplant.”