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Organ allocation for patients awaiting cardiothoracic transplant

21 July 2009

While not commenting on a particular case, we can say the following about organ allocation for patients awaiting cardiothoracic transplant.

"All patients who are waiting for cardiothoracic transplants are registered on the National Transplant Database. To be listed on the database patients undergo a series of medical assessments to ensure they meet the necessary criteria for transplant.
 
"One of the guiding principles of organ allocation is that patients waiting for a heart who are classified as urgent are given priority. This is because their life expectancy without a transplant is considerably lower."
 
Dr Mike Burch, paediatric cardiologist and director of cardiothoracic transplantation, Great Ormond Street Hospital

Contact information:

For further information please contact Hayley Dodman, Great Ormond Street Hospital press office, on 0207 239 3126 or email dodmah@gosh.nhs.uk

For genuine and urgent out of hours call speak to switchboard on 020 7405 9200

Notes to editors

Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust is the country’s leading centre for treating sick children, with the widest range of specialists under one roof.

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