Newcastle Hospitals is delighted to announce that the Freeman Hospital’s Institute of Transplantation will be officially opened at a special ceremony this week, by two of the world’s true pioneers in the field of transplantation:

Sir Roy Calne, who performed the first liver transplant in Europe in 1968 followed by the world’s first liver, heart and lung transplant in 1987; and Professor John Wallwork, CBE, who performed Europe’s first successful heart-lung transplant in 1984.

Also in attendance will be the Rt Hon Mr Nick Brown, MP for Newcastle upon Tyne East, who ‘cut the turf’ for the Institute’s construction site nearly four years ago in October 2009. At the time he said: “If you need an organ transplant, there is no better place to live than Tyneside. I am really proud of the work done at the Freeman Hospital. The new facility is going to be world class and will underpin Newcastle’s standing in the medical world.”

The Opening Ceremony is part of a major Symposium with a number of eminent clinicians visiting from all over the UK leading on lectures covering the history of transplantation, current clinical activity and research in Newcastle, and the future of transplant surgery.

Sir Leonard Fenwick, Chief Executive explains: “We are extremely proud of the Institute of Transplantation here in Newcastle – the first centre of its kind dedicated solely to the provision and advancement of solid organ transplant surgery for those whose lives depend on it. To have such distinguished guests to help us celebrate the official opening is a great honour for the NHS here in the North East of England.”