Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital has been confirmed as one of the key sites in a major NHS pilot aiming to increase the number of viable organ transplants across England.
The programme focuses on using perfusion techniques – technology that keeps donor organs supplied with oxygenated blood or nutrient-rich fluids – to extend preservation time and allow a more thorough assessment before transplant.
Currently, time pressures mean organs cannot always be fully evaluated before they need to be used, leading some to be declined. If the NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) pilot is successful, it will pave the way for the world’s first national network dedicated to reconditioning organs. NHSBT predicts a full system would enable up to 750 of extra lifesaving and life improving transplants every year, a 19 percent increase on current activity.
The first lung pilot centre opened at Royal Papworth Hospital in Cambridge, with Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital and Harefield Hospital in London set to follow as additional pilot sites.
Rob Harrison, acting chief executive at Newcastle Hospitals, said: “Newcastle has been at the forefront of innovation in organ perfusion since performing the UK’s first lung perfusion transplant in 2009. Whilst we are still very much in the early stages as a pilot site, this scheme gives us the chance to use our expertise to help transform transplant care nationwide. By dramatically extending how long organs remain viable and giving teams the ability to test them properly, perfusion could save hundreds more lives every year.”
Dr. Gerard Meachery, Consultant in Respiratory & Transplant Medicine and Joint Director Cardiothoracic Transplant Programme, Institute of Transplantation, at Newcastle Hospitals, added: “Newcastle Hospitals is very pleased be selected to participate in this unique national programme. Our cardiothoracic and abdominal transplant teams have already shown commitment to work together on this nationwide initiative for the benefit of patients waiting for life saving organ transplants across the United Kingdom.”
