07 July 2014
Islanders are being asked to consider becoming organ donors at a special event organised by Health and Social Services next week.
The Health and Social Services Department (HSSD) are holding an open day at the hospital on Saturday 12 July, 10 am until 2 pm, to raise awareness about organ donation as well as to give people the opportunity to find out more about the work HSSD is undertaking to re-design services for Islanders and the Future Hospital, and other aspects of their work.
Increase the number
People who attend will have the opportunity to fill in an application form which can be sent off by freepost in order to increase the number of Jersey residents on the national Organ Donor Register. Currently, only around 10% of Islanders are on the register. The event coincides with National Transplant Week, which runs from 7 to 13 July.
During the event, Islanders will be given the opportunity to “Sign and Dine”; if they sign up for the organ donation register they will be given a discount on certain meals at Thyme Out, the hospital’s canteen, which is open to the public.
Less than 10% of Islands signed up to organ register
Currently, less than 10% of Islanders are signed up to the National Organ Donation Register, compared to 30% in the UK, and it is hoped that more people will fill in the form and become a card holder on the database.
It is estimated that there are currently 10,000 people in the British Isles, including some from Jersey, who are in need of an organ transplant. Around three people a day die because there are not enough organs available for transplant.
There are currently 20,447,799 people registered as organ donors throughout the British Isles.
Chosen campaign
In Jersey and nationally, the Women’s Institute (WI) are supporting the National Organ Donor Register as a chosen campaign.
The open day event will also showcase the work of more than 20 of Jersey’s community and voluntary sector organisations who work in partnership with HSSD. Islanders can also:
- see plans for the Future Hospital
- find out more about plans to transform health and social care services for Islanders
- meet the volunteers of Listening Post
- sign up for bowel screening, breast screening and cervical screening
- hear about smoking cessation and environmental health matters via the Public Health team
Snacks will be on offer in the Thyme Out restaurant and the League of Friends café throughout the event. Face painting for children and colouring sheets will be available in the Thyme Out restaurant.
A lot to celebrate
Minister for Health and Social Services, Deputy Anne Pryke, said “We have a lot to celebrate at Health and Social Services, and a lot to tell Islanders about. As the event falls within Organ Donor Week, it is an opportune time to help raise awareness about this important topic. I hope that Islanders will take the opportunity to sign up to the national register, as well as find out more about our work, our Future Hospital, and some of our screening programmes.”
Disabled parking for the event is available at the Gwyneth Huelin entrance to the hospital.
Health and Social Services (HSSD) open day
gov.je