Families are being urged to talk about organ donation as national figures drop for the first time in 11 years.

Figures reveal 38 Cambridgeshire residents have died waiting for a transplant in the past five years and 82 people in the county are currently waiting for a transplant.

In the county 48 people’s lives were saved or improved in the last year thanks to deceased donation.

Sally Johnson, NHS Blood and Transplant’s director of organ donation and transplantation, said: “We are truly grateful to the deceased donors who enabled 48 people in Cambridgeshire to receive an organ transplant last year.

“Their donations have saved and improved lives. Sadly, 38 people from Cambridgeshire have died while waiting on the transplant waiting list in the past five years.

“We cannot hope to save more lives unless there is a revolution in attitudes towards organ donation. We need everyone to talk about organ donation with their families and agree to donate if ever they are asked.

“We understand that families are expected to consider donation in their darkest hour. So we would remind everyone - tell those closest to you now if you want to donate your organs and record that decision by joining the 328,544 people from Cambridgeshire who are already on the NHS Organ Donor Register.

“Should the time come, your family will know you want to donate your organs to help to save others.”

To join the NHS Organ Donor Register visit www.organdonation.nhs.uk or call 0300 123 2323.

Currently, four out of ten families don’t give permission to donate when approached.