A record number of people donated vital organs at Epsom, Sutton and St Helier hospitals last year, bringing a new lease of life to a number of patients.

But despite the increase in organ donations, the Trust’s most senior doctor Medical Director Dr James Clarke, is urging more people to sign up to the organ donor register.

He said: “Last year, 10 organs were donated and successfully transplanted at our hospitals, which is a substantial increase from four successful donations the previous year.”

“We are of course, very happy to see that those numbers are rising, but the sad fact of the matter is that people are dying whilst waiting for an organ.”

Around 10,000 people across the UK currently need a transplant, and of those, three people die every day.

Dr Clarke added: “It is difficult to sum up just how incredible the gift of organ donation truly is. In the sad event of the death of a loved one, friends and relatives often take great comfort in knowing that their organs are helping another person to live.”

The increase in the number of organ donors and donations at the Trust hospitals is reflective of a trend seen across the county.

According to figures from NHS Blood and Transplant, hospitals across the country carried out a total of 3,706 transplants of organs in 2009-10, up to 5 percent on the year before.

“I would urge everyone to think about signing up to be an organ donor. Of course, it is a very personal decision to make, but it is definitely worth a few minutes of thought.”

You can read more about organ donation by visiting www.organdonation.nhs.uk, where you can also sign the organ donor register, if you wish to.