Brave Sarah recovers from second heart swap op

Jun 24 2009 The Journal

Top heart team

THE Heart Transplant Programme was started at the Freeman Hospital in 1985 by Christopher McGregor.

In 1987 the hospital’s pioneering surgeons performed the UK’s first successful heart transplant for a child.

The Freeman is also one of Europe’s leading lung transplant centres, having performed both the first single lung transplant and the first double lung transplant.

A "mechanical heart" service was developed by the hospital in 2003, keeping adults and children alive until a suitable donor heart is available.

Over the last 24 years, more than 750 patients have received new hearts under the treatment of specialist surgeons.

More than 150 heart and lung transplants have been performed on children.

The youngest baby received a transplant at just four weeks old.

The first three heart swaps were paid for by William Hewlett, of computer company Hewlett Packard, after he underwent heart bypass surgery in America.

Thanks to its early success, the Government has funded the transplant centre since then.

Prof John Dark, who is senior surgeon in the Freeman’s Cardiothoracic department has directed the transplant programme since 1987.