Kidney transplantation

Kidney transplantation is a surgical procedure to place a healthy kidney from a deceased or living donor into a person whose kidneys no longer function properly. It is a vital treatment option for end-stage renal failure, offering improved quality of life and increased life expectancy for many patients. For more detailed information, please follow this link: What is a kidney transplant.

Live kidney donation is considered the gold standard in kidney transplantation, as a kidney donated by a living donor often provides the best long-term outcome for the recipient. While approaching friends and family about end-stage kidney disease and the possibility of live donation can feel daunting, spreading awareness about your journey can open conversations about live kidney transplantation. You can direct potentially interested individuals to the University Hospitals of Leicester Kidney Donation page for detailed information and support, or to the NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) website for broader resources on living organ donation

The transplant process

The kidney transplant process typically involves several stages, starting with a comprehensive evaluation to determine if a patient is a suitable candidate. If approved, the patient is placed on a waiting list, or a living donor is identified. The transplant surgery itself involves carefully placing the new kidney into the patient’s body and connecting it to their blood vessels and bladder. After the surgery, patients require ongoing monitoring and medication to prevent rejection of the new organ.

Patients awaiting a kidney transplant

Once activated onto the transplant register please make sure your Anti-HLA bloods are done every 4 months, this helps with your crossmatch at the time of kidney offering. You will be reviewed yearly in transplant assessment clinic, but if you have any questions in-between please reach out to the transplant specialist nursing team for advice and support.

Please plan with family, friends or a support network how you will get into the Glenfield Hospital; Ward 37, at the time that you receive the call of a possible kidney transplant. Hospital transport will not be an option at this time, only post-transplant.

Please keep the transplant team updated of any contact detail changes, especially contact telephone numbers. Please contact the transplant team if you are active on the UK transplant register if:

  • You go on holiday as you will require temporary suspension from the UK transplant register.
  • In between appointments if your condition changes and you are referred to any other services please notify your kidney doctor or the transplant team, so that we can discuss further in an MDT if you require temporary suspension.
  • In the event that you are admitted into hospital please inform the doctor assessing you that you are active on the transplant register so that they can update the transplant team for temporary suspension.
  • Transplant recipient’s and live donor contact number: 0116 258 4736

Medications after a kidney transplant

After a kidney transplant, patients must take anti-rejection medicines, also known as immunosuppressants, for the rest of their lives. These medications are essential to prevent their immune system from recognizing the new kidney as foreign and attacking it. The specific combination and dosage of these medicines are carefully tailored to each patient.

Phone (post transplant clinic appointments):
0116 258 8024
Phone (transplant, Glenfield Hospital Ward 37):
0116 258 4126

Useful patient information leaflets