A NEW chair has been appointed to lead the Organ Donation Committee at the NHS trust that runs Colchester General Hospital.

Jan Smith took over this month from John Crookenden, who was appointed when the committee was set up at Colchester Hospital University NHS Foundation Trust in 2009.

Ms Smith has extensive experience of working as a non-executive director (NED) within the private and public sectors, and became a NED at the Trust on November 9 last year.

“As Chair of the committee, my priority is to raise the profile of organ donation, both within the Trust and externally to increase awareness,” she said.

“While my own family has no first-hand experience of organ donation, I have a friend who was very ill but whose life was transformed after he received a kidney transplant.

“Being on the NHS Organ Donor Register is a very simple way to potentially improve the quality of life of at least one person and, possibly, many more.”

Dr Helen Agostini, the Trust’s clinical lead for organ donation, said: “We are excited that Jan has agreed to come on board and help us with the promotion of organ donation.

“John has been a fantastic asset to the Organ Donation Committee – his dedication and hard work will be a tough act to follow but I’m sure Jan is up to the challenge.

“This year, the committee will focus on promotion within the Trust but also out in the community to highlight the importance of donation and talking to your loved ones to let them know in the event of your death that you wish to donate. Next-of-kin refusal is still one of our biggest challenges.”

Gail Mander, Specialist Nurse (Organ Donation) at NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT), said: “Through all his hard work and commitment, John has been very instrumental in promoting organ donation and taking this forward, both through the Trust and NHSBT.”

Four patients at the Trust have donated organs in the past year, resulting in eight life-saving kidney transplants and two liver transplants.

In addition, cells from one donated liver were used to support patients with liver failure until the patients can have a transplant and two of the four patients also donated tissues. Potentially, one tissue donor can help enhance the lives of up to 30 patients.