This story was first published in digitalhealth.net
First NHS hand transplants set for April
The NHS is set to start performing hand transplants in England as early as April 2016, officials have confirmed.
NHS England has given the go ahead for Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust to begin assessing suitable adult candidates, with a view to begin performing the complex procedure from April.
Patients will need to be carefully screened for eligibility, due to the special matching required of donor limbs for transplant and the complex nature of the procedure. Candidates will also be assessed for psychological suitability and it is estimated that between two and four patients a year will be listed for the surgery.
Dr Jonathan Fielden, NHS England’s director of specialised commissioning, said: “The NHS is leading the world in offering this cutting edge procedure, which has been shown to significantly improve the quality of life for patients who meet the strict criteria.
“We will be working closely with Professor Kay and his colleagues at Leeds, as well as NHS Blood and Transplant, to ensure that this highly innovative service for the NHS can get up and running as soon as possible.”
The centre in Leeds is led by Professor Simon Kay, who successfully performed the UK’s first hand transplant in 2012.
Kay said: “We are delighted to be confirmed as the provider of this new service. The extensive multi-professional expert team here at Leeds is keen to now assess new patient referrals and benefit patients and their families in a way they may never have thought possible before.
“The Leeds unit has an existing surgical service which can now continue with NHS England support.
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