Liverpool City Region COVID-19 Updates

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New organ donation law in England already saving lives

FRIDAY, 20 November 2020, marks 6 months since Max and Keira�s Law (Organ Donation (Deemed Consent) Act 2020) came into effect in England and saw the country shift to an �opt out� system for organ donation. The new law, which saw England change to an opt out system alongside Wales and Jersey, means that people in England are now considered as willing to donate, unless they have opted out, are in 1 of the excluded groups or have told their family they don�t want to donate. For the 1st time since the new law came into effect on 20 May 2020, NHS Blood and Transplant are publishing initial data which highlights the positive impact the new law has had to date in helping to save lives through the gift of organ donation. Initial figures collated up until 31 October 2020 show that so far 135 people have donated their organs, after being considered as willing to donate as they had not expressed an organ donation decision during their lifetime. These donations account for 26% of all donations that took place during the same time period and resulted in a total of 341 organs transplanted.

Anthony Clarkson, Director of Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplantation, at NHS Blood and Transplant, says:- �Although the law change came into effect in the midst of the first lockdown, we have been able to complete training for all of our specialist nurses and implement the new law across the country. It is still early days, but we have been really encouraged by the levels of support shown for organ donation and the new law over the last 6 months. While it is important to remember that many of these families may have agreed to organ donation even if the law hadn�t changed, for others, it has provided them with the confidence to allow organ donation to go ahead.�

Even though the law around organ donation has now changed, it is important to know that people still have a choice and families will still be consulted if organ donation becomes a possibility. Of all the families approached about organ donation between 20 May to 31 October 2020, when the criteria for deemed consent applied, the consent rate (percentage of families giving their agreement for organ donation to go ahead) was 71%. In comparison, the consent rate was 91% for patients who had expressed their decision to donate and 52% for patients who had not expressed a decision and were in one of the excluded groups. 1 of the 1st families in England to agree to donation, in circumstances where the new law was applied, was the family of Lewis Mcdonough, aged 18, from Solihull, Birmingham who sadly died following a sudden cardiac arrest. Although Lewis had not recorded an organ donation decision or spoken with his family, he went on to save three lives, after donating his liver and kidneys.

Lewis� mum, Lisa Cruise, an A&E nurse at Sandwell Hospital, says:- �As a Nurse, I had often supported families in coming to terms with the sudden loss of a loved one and even cared for patients who have gone on to be organ donors. However, I never in a million years thought I would ever be the one in that situation. Not least for my handsome, funny, full of life 18 year old son. Yet as soon as I saw the look in the eyes of the consultant who came to speak with me, I just knew it wasn�t going to be good news. Having been the one to break difficult news to families many times before, I recognised a certain look in his eyes that told me all I needed to know. Although I was already on the NHS Organ Donor Register, and aware of the recent change in the law, sadly it was never something we had properly discussed as a family. It was almost impossible getting Lewis to have a serious conversation! While I knew straightaway that organ donation was the right decision, I would urge everyone to speak with your friends and family today. To know that Lewis has saved lives, is our one comfort. I kept thinking about how that while we were hearing the worst possible news, others would be getting those life changing calls and crying tears of happiness. That was what kept me going.�

Since April 2016, more than 2000 people across the UK have died while waiting for an organ transplant. The hope is that the new law will eventually enable more people to donate and/or receive the transplants they need. Prior to the law change, around 80% of people in England said that they supported organ donation in principle, but only 38% had actually recorded their decision to donate. When asked, the majority said they just hadn�t got around to it. The change in the law came about as a result of years of campaigning by patients waiting for transplant and families of those who have donated. O1 of those who campaigned for the change in the law was Fez Awan from Blackburn. Earlier this year, Fez was waiting for his 3rd kidney transplant, and knew that his chance of a call was lower due to the fact he is from a South Asian background. Thankfully, against all the odds, Fez�s life saving call finally came through in the midst of the 1st lockdown.

Fez says:- �Even though more people from Black and Asian backgrounds are more likely to require a transplant, people from these backgrounds are currently still much less likely to agree to donation. For a long time, the topic of death and organ donation has been a cultural taboo, however I am pleased to say that we are slowly starting to see this change. Younger generations especially, are becoming increasingly open to the idea of organ donation. I hope that the change in the law will encourage more people to have an open and honest conversation with their wider family members. Without the selfless generosity of the donors and their families who enabled me to receive my transplants, there is a good chance I wouldn�t be here today. Some people might be worried about how organ donation sits with their religion or their beliefs, but all major religions in the UK, have given support for organ donation in principle. What greater gift can there be, than to be able to save someone else�s life?�

Anthony Clarkson, Director of Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplantation at NHS Blood and Transplant, concludes:- �The last 6 months have been some of the most challenging for both the NHS and the country as a whole, so to see the numbers of people saying yes to organ donation, and in doing so giving the ultimate gift of life at this difficult time, is really incredible. It shows just how strong the support for organ donation is across the country. We are humbled that despite everything, the remarkable efforts of organ donation and transplant teams across the country, as well as the enduring support of donor families, has enabled us to keep transplants going for those in most urgent need throughout the pandemic. Even though the law around organ donation has now changed, it is important that people know that families continue to be consulted if organ donation becomes a possibility. Sadly, many organ donation opportunities are still lost each year, as families don�t know if their loved one wanted to be a donor or not. Please don�t wait. Register your organ donation decision and speak with your family today.�

For more information, or register your organ donation decision, please visit:- OrganDonation.NHS.UK or call:- 0300 123 23 23.

What about the festive season?

IT is still unknown what will happen this Christmas, but we are aware that Cabinet Office and Prime Minister Boris Johnson will set out the basis of the plans of a �Limited� mixing of household mixing. Currently, on 2 December 2020, the current national lockdown in England will come to an end and we will revert into a 3 Tier system again. This 3 Tier system will be stronger than the 1 in place before the lockdown, and comes with warnings that infection rates will inevitably rise again. Calls to Government are coming in thick and fast for better and clear messaging for the public about taking care and to really explain the dangers, as we face the possibility of a revolt against measures, should this Christmas relaxing go wrong. Also, we are still not seeing any proper support for many who have not had any or very little support since the 1st lockdown, back in March 2020. Groups like Excluded UK are now ramping up, in hopes that the Government might help them as Christmas looms and the Covid19 vaccine tantalizes us.

Total UK cases Covid19 cases in and around Liverpool City Region

YET again, the statistics from Public Health England and NHSX have had errors within them. As a result of an 141 previously published deaths within 28 days, in England, being excluded from the published data, on 21 November 2020, as a result of a processing update, the issue has now been corrected. This correction of the deaths omitted are now included within today�s total and daily number of newly reported deaths.

The total number of UK Coronavirus (Covid19) infections that have been laboratory confirmed, within the UK, now stands at:- 18,662 cases and the total number now stand at:- 1,512,045 that includes tests carried out by commercial partners which are not included in the 4 National totals.

The total number of Covid19 associated UK fatalities added to the total, was sadly reported to be:- 398, within 28 days of positive test, according to the Department of Health. The total number of deaths of people who have had a positive test result confirmed by a Public Health or NHS laboratory is:- 55,024, within 28 days of positive test. Deaths with Covid19 on the death certificate:- 63,873.

The number of Covid19 patients currently in UK Hospitals:- 16,390. The current number of Covid19 patients currently in mechanical ventilation beds in UK Hospitals:- 1,421 Daily number of Covid19 patients admitted to UK Hospitals:- 1,746.

In England, there are a total of:- 1,301,559 confirmed cases over the whole Pandemic. North West - total of:- 293,071 confirmed cases over the whole Pandemic.

The number of laboratory confirmed cases within the Liverpool City Region, since the start of the Pandemic are as follows:-

Area and number of confirmed cases:- Risen by:-

National UK Lockdown

LOCKDOWN

Liverpool City Region

► Liverpool, 23,480 confirmed cases.
95

► Halton, 4,474 confirmed cases.
32

► Knowsley, 7,606 confirmed cases. 19

► Sefton, 10,197 confirmed cases.
51

► St. Helens, 7,348 confirmed cases.
33

► Wirral, 9,763 9,642 confirmed cases.

121

Colour Key:- 0 1 to 10 11 to 20 21 to 30 31 to 40 41 to 50 51 to100 100 over

The number of laboratory confirmed cases within Local Authorities around the Liverpool City Region are as follows:-

► Blackburn with Darwen, 9,150 confirmed cases.

► Blackpool, 4,956 confirmed cases.

► Bolton, 14,385 confirmed cases.

► Bury, 9,256 confirmed cases.

► Cheshire East, 8,429 confirmed cases.

► Cheshire West and Chester, 8,571 confirmed cases.

► Lancashire, 44,873 confirmed cases.

► Manchester, 29,852 confirmed cases.

► Oldham, 14,139 confirmed cases.

► Preston, 6,865 confirmed cases.

► Rochdale, 11,934 confirmed cases.

► Salford, 12,877 confirmed cases.

► Stockport, 9,950 confirmed cases.

► Tameside, 10,010 confirmed cases.

► Trafford, 8,385 confirmed cases.

► Warrington, 7,865 confirmed cases

► Wigan, 15,706 confirmed cases.

Daily reported Covid19 deaths are now measured across the UK as deaths that occurred within 28 days of the 1st laboratory confirmed positive Covid19 test. Daily and cumulative numbers of Covid19 patients admitted to Hospital. Data are not updated every day by all 4 nations and the figures are not comparable as Wales include suspected Covid19 patients while the other nations include only confirmed cases.

The latest UK R number is estimated at:- 1 to 1.1 with a daily infection growth rate range of:- 0% to +2%, as of 20 November 2020.