An eye for a heart: chaos on UK organ donor list
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The NHS Blood and Transplant organisation is investigating errors in its 14 million-strong donor list that may have led to some organs being removed without permission, it said last night.
Technical errors since 1999 meant that, for example, people who wished to donate their lungs or skin were incorrectly identified as wanting to donate their corneas or heart. The Sunday Telegraph said the glitch affected about 800,000 people, 45 of whom have since died and donated organs. Just under half are thought to have made donations based on the faulty data, the paper said.
The revelation comes at an awkward time for the Government, which has been pushing to increase Britain's rate of organ donation, one of the lowest in Europe. Officials have floated the idea of automatically designating every person a donor unless they or their survivors opt out.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments