The medical team at The Freeman hospital in Newcastle, known for saving the life of Max Johnson, a prominent advocate, is spearheading a nationwide effort to increase organ availability for transplants. The hospital is implementing innovative techniques to prolong the viability of organs like lungs, livers, and kidneys. The NHS Blood and Transplant agency has reported a surge in transplant waiting lists to unprecedented levels.
Specialists suggest that the rise in individual surgeon mortality rates due to the number of surgeries performed has prompted the adoption of new preservation methods. The pilot centers will experiment with technologies that enhance organ viability and facilitate crucial tests. One such technique, perfusion, involves circulating oxygen-rich blood or nutrient-rich fluids through the organs. The Freeman team’s successful operation on Max, broadcasted in a 2018 TV documentary, showcased the potential of these methods.
Max’s heart surgeon, Asif Hasan, shared, “He was on the brink of death. We feared his heart would fail at any moment.” Max, at nine years old, was sustained by a heart pump for seven months until a donor heart, a perfect match from Keira Ball, arrived from Devon to Newcastle in August 2017. The introduction of perfusion techniques could establish the world’s first network dedicated to organ reconditioning, drawing inspiration from Spain’s successful transplantation model.
The opt-out law, a result of a Mirror campaign, has significantly influenced England’s organ donation culture, leading to a more positive attitude toward donation. The utilization of perfusion technology could result in up to 750 additional life-saving transplants annually, with projections of increased liver, lung, and kidney transplants. Newcastle’s Hospitals NHS Trust, overseer of The Freeman, has been a pioneer in organ perfusion since conducting the UK’s initial lung perfusion transplant in 2009.
Derek Manas, NHSBT’s medical director for organ and tissue donation, explained the potential of perfusion machines to extend organ viability significantly. This advancement offers flexibility in organ preservation until all necessary personnel and facilities are ready for transplantation. Health Minister Dr. Zubir Ahmed, a transplant surgeon, emphasized the transformative impact of this program on saving lives.
The initial pilot sites for kidney transplants include Cambridge, Newcastle, Oxford, Edinburgh, Royal Free, Manchester, and Hammersmith. The Mirror’s Change the Law for Life initiative led to the implementation of the opt-out organ donation system in England in May 2020. The new law assumes individuals in England are donors unless they choose to opt out, with family consent always required prior to donation.
To learn more about organ donation, visit www.organdonation.nhs.uk.
