King's College Hospital pilots new liver transplant programme

April 7, 2026

South London News NHS and Wellbeing Desk Edited By Jimmy Nsubuga

King's liver transplant pilot programme launched at King's College Hospital, serving South East London.

King's College Hospital pilots ground-breaking liver transplant programme

King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust has been selected as one of 15 assessment and recovery centres (ARCs) across the UK to trial an innovative organ preservation programme. This initiative aims to significantly boost the number of life-saving organ transplants.

The new regional centres will allow more time for organs to be assessed, thereby increasing the number of organ donations accepted for transplant. Currently, many organs are not transplanted due to time constraints.

Machine perfusion to enhance organ viability

The trial focuses on increasing the availability of machine perfusion. This technology helps preserve and assess donated organs that might otherwise not be transplanted. The donated organ is connected to a machine that circulates oxygenated blood and nutrients.

This process preserves organs during transplantation. While on the machine, various tests can be conducted to determine the organ's viability. King's Liver Transplant Unit, one of Europe's largest, will provide liver perfusion services for the pilot.

Varuna Aluvihare, Consultant in Liver Medicine at King’s, stated: “Through machine perfusion, we have the potential to be able to transplant livers, which would have otherwise carried a higher risk, into patients facing a long and uncertain wait for a suitable organ — with excellent outcomes.”

Aluvihare added: “We are extremely proud to have been selected as a pilot site by NHS Blood and Transplant, and have a part in this ground-breaking step forward in organ donation and transplantation.”

OFFICIAL SOURCE VERIFICATION:

This report is based on official clinical data from NHS Trust / Health Authority.

Document: King’s pilots ground-breaking liver transplant programme - King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Source Link: https://www.kch.nhs.uk/news/kings-pilots-ground-breaking-liver-transplant-programme/

Author

South London News NHS and Wellbeing Desk Edited By Jimmy Nsubuga

From the corridors of St Thomas' to pioneering local clinics, the South London News NHS & Wellbeing Desk offers comprehensive coverage of our healthcare system. Our editorial staff provide clinical updates, patient success stories, and service analysis, ensuring our readers stay connected to the medical milestones happening in their community.

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