An NHS Trust has been recognised as being among the best performing in the country for organ donation.

Thirty-three patients received life-saving transplants owing to “sensitive” donation conversations with relatives led by staff at the West Herts Hospitals Trust. 

The Trust, which operates Watford General, St Albans City and Hemel Hempstead, is one of the “best performing” for quality of care in organ donation compared with other similar trusts.

Holly Waterman, a specialist organ donation and transplant nurse, said: “This is a fantastic achievement by our dedicated staff. 

“The more people who pledge to donate their organs after their death the more people stand to benefit from organ donation. 

“There are 23 people currently on the waiting list in our area who need a life-saving organ transplant. They need people to say yes to organ donation, so they can get the organ they desperately need. 

“Organ donation is one of the greatest gifts one person can give to another.”

Statistics from 2017-18 revealed 374 people benefitted from a life-saving “solid organ” (i.e. heart, lung or kidney) transplants in the east of England.

During this time, however, 36 people on the transplant waiting list died and 457 people were still waiting on March 31 this year. 

Holly added: “The statistics show that we have excelled ourselves in this sensitive issue. From 20 consented donors we facilitated nine actual solid organ donors. 

“When compared nationally our referral ratio and the involvement of specialist nurses was described as ‘exceptional’.”

"Lift wraps", donated by the trusts organ donation committee, have been installed on the doors of the main lifts at Watford General Hospital urging visitors and staff to register as organ donors. 

Fiona Loud, chair of the trust’s organ donation committee, who is also a recipient of a donated kidney, said: “The trusts’ results show how collaboration between staff across the trust leads to successful donation. 

“We would like to thank all the staff and all the families in Hertfordshire who have helped by donating organs to save lives.

“As the NHS celebrates its 70th birthday this year we are asking people to consider giving the NHS a special birthday present by signing up to the organ donor register.” 

To find out more, visit https://www.organdonation.nhs.uk or call 0300 123 23 23