ORGAN donors and their families are the inspiration behind a new sculpture at York Hospital.

The birds created by local artist Dan Savage is in the wellbeing garden space and was funded by York Teaching Hospital Charity. Dr Rob Ferguson, clinical lead for organ donation, said: “This sculpture is a way of thanking and recognising those who have made that decision for themselves and for their family that they wish their organs to be donated, to go on to potentially save up to nine lives.

It was installed to mark Organ Donation Week which finished yesterday.

A change in the law means that all adults are now considered as having agreed to donate their own organs when they die, unless they record a decision not to donate, are in one of the excluded groups or have told their family that they don’t want to donate.

Dr Ferguson said: “Even now the law has changed, families will continue to be approached before organ donation goes ahead. It remains so important to talk to your families and ensure they know what you would want to happen.

"We really need these conversations to take place in families and within our own hospitals so that everyone is clear should the situation arise.”