Groundbreaking NHS scheme could transform organ transplants across England

Health & Fitness
17 Mar 2026 • 8:30 AM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

image is not available

  • NHS doctors are launching a groundbreaking pilot scheme to recondition donor organs, aiming to significantly increase the number of transplants across England.
  • The initiative focuses on extending the preservation time for organs using perfusion techniques, allowing for more thorough assessment of their suitability for transplant.
  • Should the pilot prove successful, it would pave the way for the world's first national organ reconditioning network, potentially leading to an additional 750 transplants annually, a 19 per cent increase.
  • This includes the potential for 202 more liver, 202 more lung, and 345 more kidney transplants, addressing the record-high transplant waiting list of over 8,000 people.
  • Pilot centres for lung, liver, and kidney reconditioning are opening in major English hospitals, with government backing for this crucial programme.

IN FULL