Organ Harvesting & Retrieval

High Quality Service

Organ retrieval is a key element of the Donation and Transplantation pathway. The service is provided by our team who can retrieve organs from donors on behalf of transplant centres.

Our teams deliver a high-quality service performing a procedure that is highly challenging, both technically and emotionally. The Organ Retrieval Service is underpinned by robust quality and clinical governance support systems. From start to finish the procedure is carried out with the utmost respect for the donor and in accordance with the family’s wishes.

The organ retrieval operation can take place only after consent authorisation has been obtained. The procedure consists firstly in assessing the suitability of the organs and excluding the presence of major contraindications to donation that could pose a risk to the potential recipient.

Once removed, the organs are again assessed individually, and the quality of the organ is relayed to the transplanting team. Organs that are not intended to be transplanted are NOT retrieved unless specified and agreed at time of consent authorisation.

Organs are then safely packed into boxes that keep them cool while in transit to the transplant centre. On arrival, the transplant surgeon will again check the quality of the organs before proceeding to the transplant operation. The retrieval operation is concluded with the team de-briefing.

Retrieval team are made up of highly skilled healthcare professionals and are led by a surgeon who has been signed off as competent to safely lead retrieval. The lead surgeon is assisted by an individual who has been deemed competent to act as first assistant working under the direct supervision of the lead surgeon.