Kidney Health: Delivering Excellence – Progress report for 2017 is published
Download the full report and read a synopsis by Fiona Loud, co-author Kidney Health: Delivering Excellence, co-chair Kidney Health Partnership Board.
BTS Response to the Scottish Government’s Consultation on Legislation on Organ Donation
“The BTS has submitted a response to the Scottish government’s consultation on legislation on organ donation. The response includes results of the ‘opt out’ survey undertaking at Congress, in which 66% of respondents favour a change in legislation.
The response has been written by Antonia Cronin, as Chair of the Ethics Committee, and has agreement from the BTS executive. I am very grateful to Antonia and the committee for all their hard work.”
Lorna Marson
BTS President
Professor Sir Roy Calne pays tribute to Thomas Starzl
Dear BTS member,
As you will be aware, the pioneer of transplantation Thomas Starzl died at the weekend.
I am very grateful to Professor Sir Roy Calne for agreeing to write an obituary for the society members, and for writing such a heartfelt piece from someone who knew Tom.
Please take time to read it as it is a fitting tribute to a remarkable man.
Call for funding for Community Initiatives
Living Donor Transplantation for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) Communities
NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) have commissioned the National Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Transplant Alliance to manage the delivery of a Living donor Transplantation Initiative, up until March 2018. The funding of £90,000 is in response to a recent decline in the number of living donor transplantations among BAME (Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic) communities. From 169 living donors from a BAME background in 2013/14 to 136 in 2015/16, there has been a decline of 19.5%.
The coordinated approach of NHSBT commissioned NBTA living transplant initiatives will address the inequality in donation and transplantation for BAME communities, and aim to widen the impact of effective practices that improve and save lives.
There are three key outcomes which NBTA will be required to achieve which are:
- 40 people from BAME background seeking information or expressing an interest in living donation
- 25 people from BAME background being assessed for living donation
- 10 people from BAME background, after assessment, being suitable for living donation
There are four priority geographical areas and BAME communities associated with each as follows.
- North West London : Hindu and Jain communities
- West London: Sikh communities
- London ( targeted boroughs): African and African-Caribbean communities
- Leicester: Hindu and Sikh communities
Although NBTA have four priority areas, NBTA would welcome initiatives from across the UK and funding permitting will be pleased to discuss any proposals.
Following this announcement for seeking submissions, all bids should be made by 5 December 2016, using the pro-forma. The Steering Group will announce decisions on the submissions on15 December 2016 and projects can commence by early 2017. This first round of submissions may be followed by a second round in early 2017, depending on the availability of the funding.
The overall outcome for focussing on BAME living donation work is to close the gap between black and minority ethnic communities and white communities in securing transplantations at the same time as securing savings to the NHS on the costs of healthcare. To reach these goals and the outcomes NBTA will deliver:
- Better awareness amongst BAME communities of health inequalities and the need for donation
- More collaborative working, and sharing of best practice amongst organisations including NHS Blood and Transplant working on donation and transplant to improve health outcomes for BAME communities
- Incremental change in the numbers of BAME people represented on donation registers and agreeing to transplantation.
- Collation of resources of effective interventions and materials on donation and transplant issues with BAME communities
- Behaviour change and increased BAME and Faith Community Engagement.
Sally Johnson, Director of Organ Donation and Transplantation at NHS Blood and Transplant said:
“People from Black and Asian communities have a higher incidence of conditions such as diabetes and certain forms of hepatitis, and currently make up a third of the active kidney transplant waiting list. Although some are able to receive a transplant from a white donor, for many the best match will come from a donor from the same ethnic background. While only 5% of all deceased organ donors currently come from black and Asian backgrounds, living donation can be the life-saving opportunity, a patient waiting for a transplant desperately needs. With increased awareness and improved information, we hope that more potential living donors will come forward and more patients will have their lives saved or transformed.”
Orin Lewis OBE, Co-chair of NBTA and Chief Executive of ACLT (African Caribbean Leukaemia Trust) said
“The NBTA applauds NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) for committing its funds and trust in our members to delivering this initiative on behalf of the various UK BAME communities. This NHSBT funded initiative is a major “game changer” for BAME communities in relation to Living donor Transplantation. A successful undertaking of the 3 key outcomes will enable an acceptable positive ripple effect awareness effect from with the aforementioned BAME communities and result in more lives being saved.”
For more information on the Living Donor Transplantation Initiative and to request application pack please email Kirit Modi – Steering Group Chair on kiritmodi1@hotmail.com .
The National Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Transplant Alliance (NBTA) is a forum of organisations, set up by the Department of Health, who work together on behalf of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) patients and communities. NBTA’s aims to address the disproportionality in stem cell, blood and organ donation through raising awareness of inequalities, promoting the importance of transplantation; with the aim of increasing the number of BAME donor registrations and consent to transplantation.
For more information on NBTA please visit http://www.nbta-uk.org.uk/2016/10/invitation-to-make-submissions-for-the-living-transplant-initiative-lti/
and for press interviews please contact either of the following Co-Chairs:
Mr Orin Lewis OBE on 020 3757 7700 or orin@aclt.org
Masters Degree in Transplantation, University of Liverpool, United Kingdom
University of Liverpool has launched a suite of 4 modules related to transplantation sciences for transplant surgeons, nephrologists and urologists.
Experience in these subspecialties is essential. These modules are offered wholly online study using an interactive electronic platform, which produces a high quality interface for learning and teaching through interactive keynote lectures, discussion board and journal clubs. Each module is 30 credits at Masters level.
Successful completion of all 4 modules and dissertation, students can achieve a Masters Degree. English Language Exam is NOT required for those who studied medicine in English.
This is the first of its kind degree in transplantation from a reputable UK university. The course provides up-to-date knowledge covering many angles of adult, pediatric and pancreatic transplantation clinical practice. Registration starts in September 2016. The course commences in Feb 2017. Typical cost is £900 per/module (dissertation fees to be advised later).
Enquiries to be made via Mr Ahmed Halawa, Consultant Transplant Surgeon, UK at ahmed.halawa@sth.nhs.uk
Statement on media coverage
Statement on media coverage about organ donation and women carrying babies diagnosed with non-survivable conditions
In response to a number of media articles implying that women carrying babies with a non-survivable condition will be pressurised into proceeding with their pregnancy in order to donate their babies organs, the British Transplantation Society has issued the following statement
Council Strategy meeting report
At the first meeting of the BTS executive following on from a very successful Congress in Bournemouth in March 2015, it was decided that a review of the strategy of the Society was timely.
Taking Organ Transplantation to 2020
The British Transplantation Society (BTS) warmly welcomes the publication by NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) of their strategic plan, ‘Taking Organ Transplantation to 2020’.
This provides an excellent platform on which to develop transplantation services in the UK over the next few years. Professor Anthony Warrens, President of the BTS, commented: ‘This programme of work is well focussed and ambitious but realistic. It has the potential to have real impact and build on the excellent work NHSBT led to bring the recommendations of the Organ Donation Taskforce 2008 to the successful achievement of an increase in donation of 50% in five years.
The BTS is committed to support NHSBT in their pursuit of this plan for the benefit of our patients, three of whom die needlessly in the UK every day for want of an adequate supply of organs’.
New guidelines for living organ donation from prisoners
Living donor transplantation (LDT) is now established practice in the UK and represents 38% of overall solid organ transplant activity.
The safety and welfare of living donors is paramount. Living donor kidney transplantation (LDKT) accounts for 97% of LDT activity and is justified on the basis of excellent patient and transplant outcomes, low donor risk and donor and recipient choice2 . Living liver donation (LLDT) comprises the remaining 3%.
New Guidelines for living organ donation from prisoners are now open for consultation until 28th February 2014.
Any comments to Lisa Burnapp at lisa.burnapp@nhsbt.nhs.uk
