The clinic, which will operate on the first Tuesday of each month, brings together Nicola Beavers, Transplant Sister at Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals (DBTH), and transplant surgeons from Sheffield Teaching Hospitals. This initiative aims to provide specialist care in a familiar hospital setting, minimising the time, cost, and stress associated with travelling to different locations.
Patients attending the clinic will undergo assessments with a kidney transplant surgeon to determine their suitability for surgery. Any necessary follow-up tests will also be conducted at Doncaster Royal Infirmary (DRI). The service prioritises assessing patients before they require dialysis, potentially enabling them to receive a transplant beforehand.
Nicola Beavers highlighted the significance of having these appointments closer to home. "Preparing for a kidney transplant can involve a number of appointments and tests, so being able to attend more of these closer to home can make a real difference," she stated. "This clinic brings specialist surgical assessment to Doncaster, helping us support patients in a familiar setting as they prepare for their transplant."
The clinic is also facilitating initial assessments for potential living donors. Beavers added, "We have also started initial assessments for potential living donors, making this part of the process more accessible for family members and friends who wish to explore donating a kidney." This aims to simplify an important early stage of the donation process.
The reduction in inter-hospital travel is also expected to lessen the environmental impact associated with patient appointments.
Professor Ahmed Halawa, Consultant Transplant Surgeon and Clinical Lead at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, expressed his satisfaction with the collaborative effort. "I was pleased to lead this collaborative initiative with Doncaster Royal Infirmary (DRI) to establish a satellite transplant clinic," he said. "The primary objective was to improve patient access to transplant follow-up care by delivering services closer to home, thereby reducing travel burden and improving patient experience."
Dr Nick Mallaband, Chief Medical Officer at DBTH, welcomed the development, stating, "This is a welcome development for patients who need a kidney transplant, giving them access to specialist assessment at their local hospital." He emphasised the importance of providing care closer to home where feasible, noting, "Wherever we can safely provide elements of that care closer to home, making the experience easier and less disruptive for patients, that is exactly what we should be striving to do."
For further details regarding the clinic or initial living donor assessments, interested individuals can contact Nicola Beavers via email.
