DESPITE the majority of the public supporting the idea of organ donation, only 26 per cent of the population have signed up to the NHS Organ Donor Register.

NHS Blood and Transplant says that while 16 million people have agreed to donate organs after death, fewer transplants are being carried out and there are more people than ever on the waiting list. There are currently 7,908 people on the UK transplant list waiting for life-saving hearts, lungs, kidneys, livers and other organs.

A total of 156 children are included on the list, including 16 specifically needing liver transplants.

But only a few people die in the right circumstances to make their organs suitable for transplant.

Because organs need to be transplanted quickly, they are usually only taken from people who die in hospital from accidents, strokes or brain haemorrhage.

Improvements in things such as road safety mean fewer suitable donors are available and there are still too few people on the donor register or who have discussed the issue with friends and family.

The NHS is currently carrying out research to find out why, when 90 per cent of the population are in favour of organ donation so few people actually sign up to the register.

Henrietta Joy, from NHS Blood and Transplant, said: “About 1,000 people die every year in this country waiting for an organ transplant.

“Last year, 3,238 organ transplants were carried out in the UK thanks to the generosity of 1,662 deceased and living donors, but the need for transplants is increasing faster than the number being performed.”

To be included on the organ donor scheme visit www.uktransplant.org.uk or call the 24 hour hotline on 0845 60 60 400.