Landmark for pancreas transplants

Stephen Proctor had a pancreas transplant in Edinburgh

Surgeons at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh have carried out Scotland's 100th pancreas transplant operation.

Stephen Proctor, 43, became the 100th patient to undergo the surgery at the start of April.

The Transplant Unit at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh is the only centre in Scotland to offer the pancreas transplant operation.

The programme started in April 2000. Mr Proctor received a pancreas and double kidney transplant on 10 April.

Mr Proctor, of Portadown, County Armagh, Northern Ireland, was referred to the transplant unit in Edinburgh because pancreas transplants are not carried out at any hospitals in Northern Ireland.

I have got a lot more energy and it is brilliant not having to take insulin any longer Stephen Proctor Patient

Pancreas transplants are usually combined with kidney transplants for people with Type 1 diabetes and established renal failure.

The combined transplant removes the need for insulin injections and dialysis.

Mr Proctor said: "I have got a lot more energy and it is brilliant not having to take insulin any longer.

"The staff in the transplant unit have been fantastic and every question I have asked has been answered. I can't thank them enough for the work they have done.

"My thoughts and sympathies are with the family of the donor and I would like to thank them for donating the organs which allowed me to undergo my transplant."