Tom Powell
GIBRALTAR patients in need of organ transplants will now be eligible for one in the UK.
Previously, organ transplants in Gibraltar were not possible causing much uncertainty and concern.
But the Gibraltar Health Service has now announced a landmark agreement with the UK’s NHS Blood and Transplant service.
In return, Gibraltar will contribute organs to the UK deceased donor pool where appropriate.
It is estimated that around four Gibraltar patients will require a transplant each year, with one heart, one liver and two kidney transplants.
Chief minister Fabian Picardo said: “: “The possibility of receiving transplants is life saving and it was of great concern to me that this had become impossible for Gibraltar patients.
“I was happy to raise this directly with the Prime Minister, who was totally supportive. The new arrangement with NHS Blood and Transplant will change lives and save lives.”
He added: “What can be more satisfying than that?”
There are already several patients who are undergoing or about to receive appointments in one of the three designated UK centres; West London Transplant Centre, King’s College Hospital and Harefield Hospital.
Let us hope that we now see a massive volunteering of blood and organ donation by Gibraltarians in return.
If it were possible I am sure they would Stefanjo but it isn’t. Gibraltarians (hate that term as it attempts to exclude me and my fellow expats) are very generous so would donate blood if they could. But the facility is not available like it is elsewhere. Think the issue is storage of the bloods.
Bluemoon: If you live on Gibraltar doesn’t that make you a Gibraltarian? What am I missing?
There’s plenty money swilling around Gib. Get some spent on important stuff like blood storage and fractionation instead of balloons. Sign up for organ donation, you won’t miss kidneys etc. when you’re dead. Also, why not have mutual deals with Spain? It might make for better relationships.
No Stefanjo – I am an expat living here which makes me no more than I am British. Just the same as if I lived in Spain wouldn’t make me Spanish. The reason I hate the term being used is that politicians here and the newspapers say things like “Gibraltarians raised £20,000 for Syrian aid” whereas it wasn’t just natives who gave it was non-natives and tourists as well.
We do have deals with Spain in respect of health but it is one way. We use their services as they have better in certain specialist areas.
I think that the blood storage issue is a bit more than just a few tupperware boxes and a fridge :-)