Every organ donor is being tested for coronavirus as NHS rejects transplants from infected patients to minimise risk to recipients
- Organ donations have been halted if donors test positive for coronavirus
- Transplant surgery has been minimised as hospitals deal with the outbreak
- All donors are tested for coronavirus before a transplant is made
- Blood donors are still being encouraged to donate unless they are aged over 70
- Coronavirus symptoms: what are they and should you see a doctor?
All organ donors are now being tested for coronavirus with transplants from infected patients being stopped to minimise risk.
The NHS are preventing some life-saving organs from being transplanted to recipients to stop the spread of the virus.
Donations are not known to transmit the killer bug, but transplant recipients are immuno-suppressed to prevent organ rejection.
People who undergo organ transplants are immuno-suppressed which leaves them at risk of picking up disease (stock image)
NHS Blood and Transplant said hospitals are having their capacity to carry out donations and transplants affected under the strain of coronavirus.
Professor John Forsythe, Medical Director for Organ Donation at NHS Blood and Transplant, said: ‘As the situation with COVID-19 is ever changing across the country, so is the picture regarding donation and transplantation.
‘Some transplant units have made the difficult decision to close their transplant programmes for now.
‘This to support the NHS in treating COVID-19 patients and other patients needing intensive care.
All organ donors are now being tested for coronavirus with transplants from infected patients being stopped to minimise risk (stock image)
‘Every potential organ donor on an Intensive Care Unit is being tested for the virus and if someone has COVID-19 they will not be able to donate.
‘NHS capacity to deal with COVID-19 at this time and the safety of organ donation and patients in need of a transplant is paramount.
‘Ensuring the safety of organ donation and transplantation during this pandemic is creating substantial challenges.’
Lifesaving organ transplants are still going ahead on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of local units’ clinical staff.
Blood donations are being encouraged despite the lockdown as they are deemed vital to vulnerable people.
Donors who have had coronavirus or have self-isolated are able to give blood just 14 days after their symptoms have settled.
Those who have had contact with a confirmed case of the virus can still donate as long as they are symptom-free.
However, donors above the age of 70 have been asked to stay at home, in line with government guidelines.
However, the NHS urges blood donors to continue making appointments as long as they are 70 or under
Donors are asked to come to alone to donation points and are not checked for their temperature on arrival.
Blood donations staff have been provided with masks but will not be wearing gloves, washing their hand regularly instead.
NHS Blood and Transplant have said they will continue to monitor the situation as the pandemic unfolds.
