The Sunday Times reported in April 2010 that NHS Blood and Transplant, who run the UK organ donor register, last year wrote to new donors with their consent details. After respondents complained the information was incorrect it was discovered 800,000 individuals’ details had been recorded incorrectly. 45 of those affected have since died and their incorrect wishes carried out!

“The mistake occurred in 1999 when a coding error on driving licences wrongly specifying donors’ wishes was transferred to the organ registry.”

400,000 of the affected records have been changed, and the remaining 400,000 people will be contacted soon and asked to update their consent.