The new NOAH facility uses perfusion technology to preserve and assess donated organs, helping make more organs suitable for transplantation.

It works by supplying the donor organ - in this case a kidney - with oxygenated blood or nutrient rich fluids, extending preservation time and allowing a more thorough assessment before transplant.

A Newcastle Hospitals patient then went on to receive their kidney transplant and is doing well, after being discharged home within a week of their surgery.

Honorary consultant transplant surgeon and senior clinical lecturer with Newcastle University, Emily Thompson, performed the transplant with colleague, Professor Colin Wilson, a consultant transplant and hepatobiliary surgeon and the liver ARC lead. She said: “We’re incredibly proud to have performed Freeman Hospital’s first kidney transplant this way – it was great to see our first case through from perfusion to a successful transplant.

“It’s a major step forward for our programme and was the first kidney transplanted in the UK using the new generation XVIVO Kidney Assist. This essentially gives the kidney the nutrients it needs outside of the body and gives us a window to thoroughly assess it before transplantation.

“This achievement has very much been a collaborative effort involving colleagues across surgery, perfusion, nephrology, theatres and anaesthetics.

“The cross-organ perfusion research and innovation developed from the NIHR Blood and Transplant research unit in organ donation and transplantation has also been pivotal in translating this technology into clinical practice.”

Potential to increase transplant activity

The programme has been supported by the Northern Counties Kidney Research Fund which awarded Emily a research grant to purchase the XVIVO kidney assist machine. The Freeman Hospital was selected by NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) earlier this year as one of 15 pilot sites across the country to host assessment and recovery centres (ARC).

By improving the quality of organs that might otherwise be declined, the ARC programme has the potential to significantly increase the number of transplants. NHSBT estimates that a fully established national network could enable up to 750 additional life-saving or life-improving transplants every year.

Professor Steve White, a consultant laparoscopic, liver and pancreas surgeon and head of HPB (hepato-pancreato-biliary) and transplant surgery at Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, added: “We are excited to see how being part of this pilot could help transform the way we care for kidney patients in the future. It’s a powerful example of how research and collaboration can drive innovation to improve outcomes for our patients.”

This week is Organ Donation Week - find out more from the NHS.