Hospital to be transplant centre

The first pancreas transplant in the UK was carried out at the hospital in 1979

Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge has been named as one of seven specialist centres in Britain that will provide pancreas transplants.

The hospital is a world leader in the field, with Professor Roy Calne performing the first such organ transplant in the UK at Addenbrooke's in 1979.

The government has decided to designate and fund a national specialist service from April next year.

The number of transplants will increase from 50 to 150 a year over the next five years.

Pancreas transplants benefit certain patients with Type 1 diabetes and whose kidneys need to be replaced.

It is usually carried out at the same time as a kidney transplant, because the two together dramatically increases ten-year survival rates.

Consultant Surgeon Mr Christopher Watson said the hospital was delighted to have been designated a specialist centre.

"We look forward to expanding our pancreas transplant activity to meet demand in the next few years.

"The announcement is great news for our patients and their families, and gratifying for all those at Addenbrooke's who have worked hard to provide this service until now."

The other centres are in Manchester, Liverpool, Newcastle and Oxford, and two in London.