“I often think of my donor family - while we were experiencing happiness, relief, and joy, there was another family, parallel to ours, grieving the loss of their loved one, who had made an incredibly difficult decision. I am truly grateful to my donor and their family,” according to Alceina O’Brien, an organ transplant recipient, addressing the Galway based National Organ Donation Event, themed “Conversations that Matter” in recent weeks.
Organised by hospital-based Organ Donation Nurse Managers, who advocate for the potential organ donor and their wishes, the event brought together 100 critical care healthcare professionals from all health regions across the country to share experiences and reflect on best practices in organ donation and end-of-life conversations.
Gillian Shanahan, Organ Donation Nurse Manager, HSE West and North West, told the gathering that the event was:
“dedicated to the perspective of the potential organ donor and their family, and to supporting ICU teams who guide families through this profoundly difficult time. The words we use and the information we share are powerful, they help families make the right decision in accordance with their loved one’s wishes. When a person has added their name to the organ donation opt-out register, or when their family shares that organ donation was not their wish, that decision is always fully respected.”
“As we share learning from across the country and hear from colleagues with both expertise and lived experience, I’m reminded of the remarkable work being done every day across all our healthcare and hospital settings,” according to Tony Canavan, Regional Executive Officer, HSE West and North West. “Last year, 263 organ transplants from Irish donors took place, a truly staggering number that reflects the compassion, skill, and selflessness of so many people. To all staff across hospitals and ICUs nationwide, thank you.
“The care you provide demands not only great expertise but also great sensitivity and you deliver that with consistency and dedication. We’re also working in a time of significant change. The introduction of the Human Tissue Act this year is reshaping how we work and how we connect with patients and each other. Events like this are vital they help us learn, adapt, and continue to provide the highest standard of care.”
Sharing her direct experience, Martina Goggin, from the Strange Boat Foundation and Circle of Life Garden in Salthill, Galway explained how “had we not been asked about organ donation, we may never have considered it. At that time, all our focus was on Eamon making it through. I also feel it is hugely important that whoever from the healthcare profession in the ICU speaks to the family does so with empathy and has full knowledge of the process so they can answer the questions that families may have.”
Winifred Ryan, HSE National Lead for the National Healthcare Communication Programme explained how “heallthcare delivery is fundamentally a social interaction, placing the patient at the core of its activities. The need to communicate well is magnified in caring situations: when people are anxious, vulnerable or grieving, when they need to trust others to take care of them or their loved ones. This has particular relevance in the context of organ donation, where communicating with families requires careful navigation of their emotions, wishes and concerns as well as the wishes of their loved ones.”
In conclusion Tony said he wanted to “acknowledge the tremendous work already done and the work still ahead. At any given time, approximately 600 people in Ireland are on waiting lists for organ transplants. Organ donation can save or improve lives and every year, hundreds of people in Ireland have their lives transformed by organ donation. Your ongoing commitment continues to give hope and transform lives.”