According to statistics, a record number of adult heart transplants were performed at NHS Golden Jubilee in 2022-23.

40 operations were carried out by specialists at the Scottish National Advanced Heart Failure Service (SNAHFS), based at the Golden Jubilee University National Hospital. This is a record number for one year.

There is increased availability of hearts for transplants due to innovation in technique and advancements in technology, such as an organ care system to allow surgeons to transplant hearts from donors who die after circulatory death. The success rate has also improved at 95 per cent for 90-day survival.

490 heart transplants have been carried out by the service since the first one in January 1992.

The first 280 operations took place at the Glasgow Royal Infirmary before the service moved to NHS Golden Jubilee in 2008.

Scottish health secretary Michael Matheson visited the unit and said: “It is a remarkable achievement to perform 40 life-saving operations in a year and my thanks go to all the staff at the heart transplant unit for their skill and dedication in making this happen – it is truly life-saving for the patients.

“The unit has gone from strength to strength since its launch more than 30 years ago and with today’s medical advances it is amazing so many people being given a new lease of life.

“We must also remember the donors, and we thank each and every one of them and their families for their gift of life.”

Consultant cardiologist and SNAHFS clinical lead, Jonathan Dalzell, said: “This represents the most transplants the Scottish service has ever done in one year.

“This truly is a landmark year for our service, and to have reached this incredible accomplishment despite being the smallest service in the UK is a direct reflection of the extraordinary teamwork, expertise and dedication of everyone involved.

“I would like to sincerely thank every member of our multidisciplinary team who have worked incredibly hard over the last several years to make this historical landmark a possibility. However, regardless of how hard our multidisciplinary team work to care for our patients, without the overwhelming generosity of organ donors and their loved ones transplant would simply not exist as a treatment option - they are the true heroes of transplantation.”

Image: Golden Jubilee National Hospital
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