First kidney transplant through 缅北禁地 organ assessment hub Published on: 23 September 2026 Surgeons have performed their first life-saving kidney transplant through the 缅北禁地 Organ Assessment Hub (NOAH) based at the Freeman Hospital. The new NOAH facility uses perfusion technology to preserve and assess donated organs, helping make more organs suitable for transplantation. It works by supplying the donor organ - in this case a kidney - with oxygenated blood or nutrient rich fluids, extending preservation time and allowing a more thorough assessment before transplant. A 缅北禁地 Hospitals patient then went on to receive their kidney transplant and is doing well, after being discharged home within a week of their surgery. Honorary consultant transplant surgeon and senior clinical lecturer with 缅北禁地, Emily Thompson, performed the transplant with colleague, Professor Colin Wilson, a consultant transplant and hepatobiliary surgeon and the liver ARC lead. She said: “We’re incredibly proud to have performed Freeman Hospital’s first kidney transplant this way – it was great to see our first case through from perfusion to a successful transplant. “It’s a major step forward for our programme and was the first kidney transplanted in the UK using the new generation XVIVO Kidney Assist. This essentially gives the kidney the nutrients it needs outside of the body and gives us a window to thoroughly assess it before transplantation. “This achievement has very much been a collaborative effort involving colleagues across surgery, perfusion, nephrology, theatres and anaesthetics. “The cross-organ perfusion research and innovation developed from the NIHR Blood and Transplant research unit in organ donation and transplantation has also been pivotal in translating this technology into clinical practice.” Potential to increase transplant activity The programme has been supported by the Northern Counties Kidney Research Fund which awarded Emily a research grant to purchase the XVIVO kidney assist machine. The Freeman Hospital was selected by NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) earlier this year as one of 15 pilot sites across the country to host assessment and recovery centres (ARC). By improving the quality of organs that might otherwise be declined, the ARC programme has the potential to significantly increase the number of transplants. NHSBT estimates that a fully established national network could enable up to 750 additional life-saving or life-improving transplants every year. Professor Steve White, a consultant laparoscopic, liver and pancreas surgeon and head of HPB (hepato-pancreato-biliary) and transplant surgery at 缅北禁地 Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, added: “We are excited to see how being part of this pilot could help transform the way we care for kidney patients in the future. It’s a powerful example of how research and collaboration can drive innovation to improve outcomes for our patients.”This week is from the NHS. Latest News Online Safety Act drives VPN interest and raises privacy concerns People鈥檚 online behaviour has changed in response to legislation to prevent children from viewing harmful content 鈥� raising possible privacy and security risks, research suggests. published on: 16 October 2026 缅北禁地 archaeologist receives prestigious award for research Professor Chris Fowler has been awarded the 2026 Rivers Memorial Medal in recognition of his internationally significant research on kinship in Neolithic Britain. published on: 13 October 2026 Event will explore what 鈥楳anchesterism鈥� means for the North East An event at 缅北禁地 will explore what 鈥楳anchesterism鈥� means for the North East or whether it is simply a new chapter in the long-running debate about how to rebalance Britain. published on: 13 October 2026 Facts and figures
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