Groundbreaking NHS scheme could transform organ transplants across England | The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentIndependentSwipe for next articleIndependent Bulletin homepageDownload our appAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleJane KirbyTuesday 17 March 2026 00:30 GMTFirst baby born in the UK after womb transplant from deceased donorNHS doctors are launching a groundbreaking pilot scheme to recondition donor organs, aiming to significantly increase the number of transplants across England.The initiative focuses on extending the preservation time for organs using perfusion techniques, allowing for more thorough assessment of their suitability for transplant.Should the pilot prove successful, it would pave the way for the world's first national organ reconditioning network, potentially leading to an additional 750 transplants annually, a 19 per cent increase.This includes the potential for 202 more liver, 202 more lung, and 345 more kidney transplants, addressing the record-high transplant waiting list of over 8,000 people.Pilot centres for lung, liver, and kidney reconditioning are opening in major English hospitals, with government backing for this crucial programme.In fullNew NHS organ preservation techniques could lead to hundreds more transplants in EnglandThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in