70% of Irish donor hearts sent abroad in 2010, figures reveal

THE vast majority of hearts donated for transplants last year were sent abroad to more suitable patients at a time when 20 Irish people where on waiting lists, two of whom died.

Just over a year after concerns were raised about the number of organs being sent abroad, figures show the situation is continuing to occur with heart donations.

Figures supplied to the Sunday Business Post confirm that seven of the 10 donor hearts provided by families in 2010 were sent outside Ireland to find more suitable recipients, based on blood types and other issues.