596 People in the South West Waiting for an Organ Transplant as UK Hits Record High

New figures reveal transplant waiting list hits record high across the UK

Hundreds of people across the South West are waiting in hope as the number of people needing a life-saving organ transplant in the UK reaches its highest level ever recorded.

According to figures released by NHS Blood and Transplant on Tuesday 9th July, 596 people in the South West are currently on the active transplant waiting list. Nationally, that number has soared to 8,096 people as of 31st March 2025, with another 3,883 patients temporarily suspended from the list due to being unfit or unavailable for transplant — meaning nearly 12,000 people are living with uncertainty, not knowing when or if an organ will come.

Transplant Numbers Fall While Waiting List Grows

Despite the growing need, the number of deceased organ donors has dropped. Across the UK, there were 1,403 donors after death last year — a 7% decrease compared to the year before. This led to 4,583 transplants being carried out, 2% fewer than the previous year.

In the South West, however, donation figures remained largely the same, with 154 people donating their organs after death — just one fewer than the previous year. A total of 368 people in the region received an organ transplant, up from 344 the year before.

Living donors made up more than 40% of all organ donations, with 991 people donating a kidney or part of their liver. Cornea transplants rose by 11%, restoring sight to hundreds of patients across the country.

Kerry’s Story: “Every Time the Phone Rings You Panic a Bit”

One person waiting for a transplant is 50-year-old Kerry Fear from Yeovil. Kerry, who has battled heart problems since birth, is now on the transplant waiting list at Freeman Hospital in Newcastle after a lifetime of surgery and treatment.

“Everything seemed normal when I was born, but at six weeks old I was struggling to feed,” said Kerry. Investigations revealed she had only three heart chambers, two holes in her heart and her arteries were the wrong way round.

Aged five, she underwent Fontan surgery – a relatively new procedure at the time – and went on to live as normal a life as possible. But over the years, the treatments became less effective and a heart transplant is now her only option.

“I’ve always got on with life. I don’t feel brilliant, but I don’t feel terrible. You can deteriorate quickly,” said Kerry. “At first it was scary, you realise the magnitude of it, every time the phone rings you panic a bit. But as time goes on, you have to get on with life.”

Despite her condition, Kerry continues to work part-time for a charity, walk her dogs, and enjoy life with her husband Nick and stepdaughter Poppy.

“My transplant will hopefully make a massive difference,” she said. “My dream is to run a marathon. I’d like to go on more holidays and not worry. A transplant would be confidence and freedom.”

Kerry added: “From what I’ve seen, people that donate their organs, it gives their family pride and comfort. Organ donation gives somebody else an opportunity for a different and better life.”

📷Kerry after first surgery at 9 weeks old

📷Kerry aged 5 on her way to Southampton for Fontan surgery

📷Kerry and Nick

📷Kerry in hospital after heart treatment

📷Poppy, Kerry and Nick at couple's wedding which was brought forward

The Need for More Donors

Sadly, every day someone dies while waiting. In the past year, 463 people across the UK died before they could get the organ they needed, while a further 911 were removed from the list due to deteriorating health — many of whom later passed away.

Director of Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplantation, Anthony Clarkson, urged the public to take urgent action.

“We are facing an incredibly concerning situation where more people than ever are waiting for transplants, but fewer donations are taking place,” he said.

“Tragically, someone will die today waiting for a transplant and we urgently need more people to register their decision to donate and to have these vital conversations with their families.”

He added: “People are far more likely to support donation when they know it’s what their relative wanted.”

📷Anthony Clarkson

Why It’s Vital to Talk About Organ Donation

While England operates under an opt-out system, families still play a critical role in the final decision. Last year, 173 families overruled their relative’s registered or expressed wish to donate. In another 520 cases, families declined to support donation where consent was presumed under the law.

Consent and authorisation rates remain stubbornly low at 59%, making conversations between families more important than ever.

The NHS continues to modernise its systems and invest in new technologies to improve transplant outcomes, but the public’s support remains a key factor.

There are 56 people on the transplant waiting list in Cornwall, to find out more or register your decision, visit www.organdonation.nhs.uk, call 0300 123 23 23 or use the NHS app.

Facts at a glance:

• 596 people are waiting for a transplant in the South West

• Nearly 12,000 people are waiting or temporarily suspended across the UK

• 4,583 patients received a transplant in 2024/25 — down 2% on the previous year

• 1,403 people donated after death — down 7%

• Living donors made up over 40% of all donations

• 173 families overruled their loved one’s registered decision to donate

• Kerry Fear, 50, from Yeovil, is currently waiting for a heart transplant