Recipients

A kidney transplant can be the best way to treat end stage kidney failure. A transplant operation is when a healthy kidney from one person is placed in the body of another person with kidney disease. The person receiving the kidney is called the recipient.

This treatment option will be offered to all patients who may be eligible and suitable for a transplant. To be eligible, a patient must be well enough to cope with major surgery. The transplant needs to have a good chance of success. You must be able to take the required daily medicines needed after a kidney transplant, including immunosuppressant medicines.

Some patients may not be suitable for transplant and this will be discussed with Renal Consultants in the Renal Clinic on an individual patient basis.

• A kidney transplant will lead to a longer, better quality of life for most people who are able to have one
• Most people say they have extra energy and feel more able to cope with everyday activities
• You are more able to work and go on holiday
• Fertility is likely to improve
• You will have fewer restrictions on what you can eat and drink
• You will no longer have to rely on dialysis

Patients are referred to the Transplant Specialist Nurse from their Renal Consultant after they have been reviewed in a Renal Clinic.

Once patients have received education and completed investigations, they will meet with Transplant Surgeons at a Transplant Assessment Clinic in Ninewells Hospital. The surgeons will then discuss each patient with their wider Team in Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh before a final decision is made regarding whether transplant is possible.

All NHS Tayside patients having a transplant have their surgery at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh. All follow up and long term care will be in Tayside.

For further information, please email tay.transplantteam@nhs.scot

Ashley Wilkie is NHS Tayside’s Transplant Recipient Nurse Specialist. This role is to support and guide patients through their transplant pathway. Patients will meet the Transplant Nurse Specialist on more than one occasion during this period.

The Transplant Nurse Specialist will organise the transplant assessment. They will talk to and educate the patient and their family about transplantation. Gather results from assessment investigations and act as a point of contact for the patient at all stages of the assessment.