Organ donation: “Sharp decline” prompts urgent NHS action plan

The British National Health Service (NHS) has announced its first urgent action plan in response to a sharp decline in organ donations. Between April and September 2026, there were 591 deceased organ donors, which is 11 percent lower than the same period the previous year, representing a decrease from 664 donors. Currently, 8,691 people in the United Kingdom are waiting for a transplant. According to NHS Blood and Transplant, this represents one of the most challenging periods for organ donation in over a decade. The pool of eligible donors has decreased by approximately 20 percent since 2019-20, while family consent rates fell from 67 percent in 2020-21 to 57 percent in 2025. More than 700 potential donations did not proceed between April 2021 and March 2026 because families were uncertain about the deceased's wishes.