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Seventy per cent of donor hearts exported in 2010

Poor donation rates have contributed to seven out of ten organs harvested in Ireland being sent to other countries last year as they were incompatible with patients awaiting transplants here.

SEVENTY PER CENT of donor hearts collected in Ireland last year were sent overseas for use, as transplant rates collapsed at home.

The number of heart transplants performed in the Mater Hospital last year fell to just three from 11 on the previous year. The number of transplant surgeons also stood at just three – despite international recommendations indicating that at least five or six surgeons would be required for a country the size of Ireland, the Sunday Business Post reports.

About 20 patients were were on the waiting list for a heart transplant in Ireland last year. Two of them died waiting.

Terry Mangan, chairman of the Irish Donor Network, said: “Too many hearts were exported while people awaited transplantation in this country. We are desperately concerned about the low transplant rate.”

Jim McCarthy, a cardiothoracic surgeon at the Mater, said sizing and blood group issues have been the reason for hearts to be exported over the years.

Ireland has one of the lowest rates for lung and heart transplants in the Europe. Last year was the worst on record for organ donation.

Read Susan Mitchell’s exclusive report in the print version of the Sunday Business Post >

More: Minister for Health to propose new ‘opt-out’ system for organ donation >

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    Mute Clarence Sweeney
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    Jul 13th 2012, 12:32 PM

    It was robbed last Friday as well!

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    Mute enamonkey
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    Jul 13th 2012, 12:09 PM

    Was there not another incident in this post office over the past few days?

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    Mute John Murray
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    Jul 13th 2012, 12:57 PM

    Hope the staff member is not too seriously injured. I used to live on that road and knew staff there. Something happened there last Friday too.

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    Mute Jenny Byrne-Kelly
    Favourite Jenny Byrne-Kelly
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    Jul 13th 2012, 2:33 PM

    Hope she is ok . Last week raid on our local post office thank god no one was seriously injured but seriously raises security issues for the staff when bullet proof glass can be not that with a lump hammer .third raid for the same staff god love them . What saddened me was the lack of compassion the company take towards their staff with all staff expected to turn up for work the following morning and early to balance the tills . Never mind your cuts and bruises be in tomorrow and early at that ! Shame on an post !

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    Mute Lisa Saputo
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    Jul 13th 2012, 2:02 PM

    It doesn’t look very secure, poor woman.

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    Mute John Murray
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    Jul 13th 2012, 3:26 PM

    The bookies next door probably has better security.

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