Organ donation: social and cultural issues

This article explores the social and cultural issues surrounding the donation of organs for transplantation. With the increasing shortage of suitable organs, the author suggests that healthcare professionals should be more aware of such issues when distressing transplantation with potential donors or their families and highlights the need for a national information campaign The shortage of organs for transplant is now acute and, unless measures are taken to address this problem, the shortfall will continue to worsen. At present there are 5,379 people waiting for a suitable organ for transplantation throughout the UK (1).