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Monday, 22 May, 2000, 14:56 GMT 15:56 UK

Transplant unit to resume work


Operation
Health chiefs have announced plans to re-establish Scotland's only heart transplant unit but it could take up to a year before operations resume.

The announcement has disappointed transplant patients who were told last month that operations would have to be suspended following the resignation of the only surgeon, Surendra Naik.

The NHS trust which runs the unit at Glasgow Royal Infirmary has secured the agreement of three cardiac surgeons at other hospitals in the city to perform transplants.

Alan Faichney

But it was revealed that the surgeons would require training and would have to relinquish other commitments, which could take up to a year.

They would be sent to the Freeman Hospital, in Newcastle, where the 25 Scottish transplant patients have been referred.

Clinical director, Alan Faichney, said North Glasgow University Hospitals Trust would aim to get the service back up and running as soon as possible.

He said: "We are committed to re-establishing cardiac transplantation in Glasgow.

"Three surgeons involved have a similar commitment and that is why they have decided to go and update their skills and provide a long term, viable transplant unit here."

Anne Dundas

But Anne Dundas, of the Transplant Support Network, said there was still considerable anger and anxiety among patients.

She said: "I think it's ridiculous because they've known Mr Naik was leaving, they've known there were transplant surgeons at (Glasgow's) Western Infirmary and they could have had them training up.

"I still feel it's down to bad management."

Health Minister, Susan Deacon, said there had never been any danger that the transplant unit would be closed for good.

She added that the priority all along had been to find a way of restoring the service for the long term.

She had ordered a report from the trust when it emerged that Scotland's transplant programme would have to be mothballed and the patients on the waiting list sent elsewhere.

It was then announced that a team of surgeons would be trained to carry out the operations.

The trust revealed that two of the 25 patients on the Scottish waiting list have since undergone surgery at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle.


Related to this story:
Transplant switch talks (11 May 00 | Scotland)
Fury as transplants are halted (09 May 00 | Scotland)
Organ donor law change call (24 Apr 00 | Scotland)
The organ transplant crisis (29 Jan 99 | Your NHS)
New heart team for Scotland (15 May 00 | Scotland)


Internet links: North Glasgow University Hospitals NHS Trust | British Heart Foundation | British Organ Donor Society | British Transplantation Society | Chest, Heart & Stroke Scotland |
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