Patients’ lives to be saved by £26m transplant unit

Jan 26 2009 by Chris Robinson, The Journal

A NEW dedicated transplant unit in the North East will reduce death rates among patients waiting for organs, hospital bosses claimed last night.

Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust plans to develop the UK’s first purpose-built transplantation centre at the city’s Freeman Hospital.

Experts believe that on completion the £26m Institute of Transplantation would support the national programme to increase transplants through increased organ donation rates.

It comes as the UK Transplant Organisation released figures last week revealing that the number of people on the donor register has doubled within seven years, a year earlier than expected.

Figures reveal that since January 2001, 23,551 life-saving organ transplants have been carried out. However during the same period at lead 4,500 people died while awaiting a suitable organ.

The development of the unique facility has already reached the planning stages and is currently going through the formal approval process.

A goal to double the number of people on the list of potential donors from eight million by 2010 was announced by the-then health secretary Alan Milburn in 2001. More than a quarter (26%) of the UK population have now signed up to offer organs if they die.

Chief executive of the NHS Blood and Transplant service Lynda Hamlyn, said: “Reaching 16 million on the NHS Organ Donor Register a year before planned is testament to the support that exists for donation in the UK.

“More than a quarter of the population have demonstrated their commitment by signing the register. But, with 8,000 people in the UK currently waiting for a life-saving organ transplant, we need to do more.”

Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said it is “firmly committed” to helping more people benefit from a transplant and wants to endure they have the most up-to-date facilities in which to treat patients.

Today, more than 9,000 people in the UK need an organ transplant. But less than 3,000 transplants are carried out each year.

David Allison, business and development director of Newcastle Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “We are grasping the challenge laid down by the Department of Health’s Organ Donation Taskforce to increase transplantation activity by establishing a unique, world class treatment and research facility.

“The Newcastle Hospitals’ plans to develop an Institute of Transplantation demonstrates our commitment to playing a major part in addressing the national shortfall in organ transplantation.”

To sign up to the organ donation register visit www.uktransplant.org.uk or call 0845 60 60 400.