System in crisis, says longest surviving transplant patient

Ireland’s longest surviving lung transplant patient Brendan McLaughlin reckons the country’s system for transplants and donations is in crisis.

Mr McLaughlin, 46, celebrates the 21st anniversary of his lung transplant this week as senators are recalled from holiday for a special debate in the Seanad in relation to organ donation.

Mr McLaughlin, who is also a double transplant patient — he received a kidney 12 years ago — is concerned about a Department of Health move to introduce a new system where it is deemed everyone will donate their organs after death.