National Organ Donation Conference 2025 Focuses on “Conversations that Matter” in a Landmark Year for Organ Donation in Ireland

The 2025 National Organ Donation Conference, themed “Conversations that Matter” recently took place in Galway and brought together healthcare professionals, donor families, and transplant recipients to reflect on a significant year in Ireland’s organ donation landscape.

The conference was organised by hospital-based Organ Donation Nurse Managers, who advocate for the potential organ donor and their wishes. Over 100 critical care healthcare professionals from all health regions across the country attended to share experiences and reflect on best practices in organ donation and end-of-life conversations.

As part of the Irish Hospice Foundation’s Quality Improvement Initiative, Organ Donation Nurse Managers, in collaboration with the National Healthcare Communication Programme, created training videos designed to enhance end-of-life organ donation discussions in ICUs nationwide.

Winifred Ryan, HSE National Lead for National Healthcare Communication Programme said: “Healthcare 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. When they are trying to process information and make decisions based on this information. 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.”

Donor families and transplant recipients shared their personal experiences, highlighting the human impact of organ donation on the day.

Martina Goggin, from the Strange Boat Foundation and Circle of Life Garden in Salthill, Galway shared: “If we had 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.”

Alceina O’Brien, a transplant recipient, reflected on the lasting impact of her donor family’s decision: “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.”

Gillian Shanahan, Organ Donation Nurse Manager, HSE West and North West, said: “This conference 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.”

Tony Canavan, Regional Executive Officer, HSE West and North West in attendance at the conference said: “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. 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. Conferences like this are vital they help us learn, adapt, and continue to provide the highest standard of care.

“I want 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.”

As Ireland moves forward under the Human Tissue Act, the National Organ Donation Conference continues to promote a culture of empathy, understanding and respect in all donation-related conversations. Through education, collaboration, and shared experience, healthcare professionals reaffirm their commitment to ensuring that every conversation about organ donation truly matters for patients, families and healthcare staff alike.

Photo caption:
Standing from Left: Dr Jonathan Roddy, Clinical Lead in Organ Donation, HSE Mid-Western Health Region; Karen Healy, Organ Donation Nurse Manager, RCSI Hospital Group; Orla Cradock, Organ Donation Nurse Manager, Ireland East Group; Breda Doyle, Organ Donation Nurse Manager, HSE South West Region; Dr Ian Conrick- Martin, Clinical Lead in Organ Donation, Ireland East Group; Tony Canavan, Regional Executive Officer, HSE West North West Region; Dr Sean Keane, Clinical Lead In Organ Donation, HSE Dublin and Midlands Health Region; Professor Adrian Murphy, Clinical Lead in Organ Donation, HSE South West Region; Dr Alan Gaffney, Clinical Lead in Organ Donation, RCSI Hospital Group.

Sitting from left: Nicola Phillips, Organ Donation Nurse Manager, HSE Dublin and Midlands Health Region; Gillian Shanahan, Organ Donation Nurse Manager, HSE West and North West Region; Dr Emer Curran, Clinical Lead in Organ Donation, HSE West and North West; and Bernie Nohilly, Organ Donation Nurse Manager, HSE Mid-Western Health Region.