Transplant patient returns to thank the dialysis team

Barry Saull never forgot the kindness of staff during the two-and-a-half years he spent on dialysis at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital. After a successful kidney transplant, carried out at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in April last year, he returned to the Jack Pryor Unit to present cheques for £900 towards refurbishing the staff tea room.

Among those who welcomed him back was transplant co-ordinator Mandy Wilkinson, whose role is to assess patients' fitness for a transplant and also the suitability of family members who put themselves forward as donors.

There are currently 65 dialysis patients locally who are waiting for a transplant. So far this year, 21 patients from NNUH have undergone transplants at Addenbrooke’s, including four who have undergone kidney/pancreas transplants. Two of the kidney donors were living family members and two were partners of the recipients.

Mr Saull, 72, a retired personnel manager, received his kidney from a deceased donor. His wife, Cynthia, had offered her own kidney but tests revealed that she was not a suitable donor.

Caption: Barry Saull is pictured with transplant co-ordinator Mandy Wilkinson (right) and Judy Butcher, senior nurse on the Jack Pryor Renal Unit

For details of how to become a donor click here