For anyone living with advanced liver disease, or supporting a loved one through treatment, the wait for a liver transplant can feel overwhelming. NHS Blood and Transplant have today launched a report with the latest figures that show that hundreds of people across the UK are still waiting for the call that could save or transform their lives. But the report also highlights the incredible impact of organ donation, with hundreds of liver transplants taking place every year and strong survival rates for transplant recipients.
To help address declining family support and rising demand for transplants, Liver UK is supporting the new ‘One in a Million’ campaign, calling on one million more people to register their donation decision and discuss it with their families. The campaign is based on clear evidence that donation is much more likely to proceed when an individual’s wishes are known and understood by their loved ones.
As of 31 March 2025, there were 781 people on the UK liver transplant waiting list, including 662 people actively waiting for a transplant. This is higher than pre-pandemic levels and reflects the ongoing demand for donated organs.
There is some encouraging news. Around 70% of people joining the elective liver transplant waiting list received a transplant within two years of being listed. The report also shows that nearly half of patients had received a transplant within six months of joining the waiting list.
Over the last financial year, 874 liver transplants were carried out across the UK, including 561 using livers donated after brain death, 313 from donors after circulatory death, and 27 living donor liver transplants. The growth in donation after circulatory death is particularly welcome, helping more people receive the transplant they need.
Most importantly, liver transplantation continues to deliver excellent outcomes. For adults receiving their first liver transplant, one-year survival rates are 95% for elective transplants, while five-year survival stands at 83%.
These figures represent far more than statistics. Each transplant means a person getting a second chance at life, a family seeing a loved one recover, and a donor family whose generosity has made that possible.
Vanessa Hebditch, Director of Communications and Policy, said:
“These figures are a powerful reminder of the life-changing impact of liver transplantation. Behind every transplant is a patient and family who have often faced months or years of uncertainty, and a donor and donor family whose generosity has made that transplant possible.
While it is encouraging to see more liver transplants taking place and excellent survival rates for recipients, hundreds of people are still waiting for the organ they need. We must continue to raise awareness of organ donation and ensure everyone has the information and support they need to discuss their donation decisions with their family.
For people living with advanced liver disease, these figures offer hope. Transplantation saves lives, but increasing organ donation remains essential if we are to reduce waiting times and help more people get the chance of a healthier future.”
For patients and families, the report underlines the importance of staying engaged with your transplant team, seeking support when you need it, and remembering that outcomes following liver transplantation in the UK remain very positive. At the same time, it highlights why organ donation continues to matter so much.
Every donation has the potential to save and transform lives.
