Liver Transplantation and COVID-19

Minimising COVID-19 infection

Because patients who need a transplant have to be immuno-suppressed, any risks need to be minimised as much as possible. Although there is no known transmission of COVID-19 through organ donation, all potential organ donors are being tested. The organs of someone who has COVID-19 will not be used for transplants.

Available resources

Organs are still being donated where possible and offered to the hospitals that are still performing transplants.

Some hospitals are dealing with a significant impact from COVID-19, which can affect their capacity to carry out donations and transplants. The safety of organ donation and patients in need of a transplant is paramount.

Patients identified as organ donors are usually in intensive care units when they are referred for donation, and transplant patients require intensive care following their transplant operation, so it’s vital that any transplant that does go ahead is done as safely as possible for all those involved.

Transplants are going ahead if it is safe and appropriate, with transplant clinicians assessing individual cases and the situation in their own hospital. Transplant teams will also talk to patients awaiting a transplant operation and balance their need for a transplant against the additional challenges of being immuno-suppressed at this time.

Some transplant units have temporarily closed

We understand that some transplant centres have taken the decision to close for the time being or are prioritising only their most urgent patients. This is to support the NHS in treating people with COVID-19 and other patients needing intensive care.

We appreciate this is very difficult and frustrating for patients awaiting a transplant. These decisions are not made lightly. The safety of transplant and other hospital patients is the main priority. We have asked that patients waiting for a transplant are contacted by their transplant unit to let them know of any changes which may affect them.

NHSBT is closely monitoring the situation. Each transplant unit is working to continue with transplant operations if they are still able, as long as this is safe for transplant patients and other patients who need the care of the hospital. The priority is to keep urgent lifesaving transplants going ahead, as long as it is possible and safe to do so.

Please contact your transplant unit if you have questions about your transplant. If you think you may have COVID-19, let your transplant team know and seek medical advice using the NHS 111 online coronavirus service or call NHS 111 if you don’t have internet access. Do this as soon as you get symptoms.

It's important to let your transplant team know if you think your condition is deteriorating or you are worried about any aspect of your health.

In any emergency, call 999 if you are seriously ill.

We understand that this is a difficult and sometimes worrying time, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Try to focus on the things you can control, such as your behaviour, who you speak to and who you get information from. Every Mind Matters provides simple tips and advice to start taking better care of your mental health.

Anxiety UK is a dedicated UK charity that offers a range of services delivered by professionals; supported by staff and volunteers with personal experience of anxiety, stress, and anxiety based depression.

MIND provides advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem.

The PSC Support Facebook Group is a wonderful source of emotional support and information about PSC.

PSC Support is holding daily half hour Drop-Ins (PSC Connect) using video calls.  Details published daily in our Facebook group. We're in this together!

If you are still struggling after several weeks and it is affecting your daily life, please contact NHS 111 online. If you have no internet access, you should call NHS 111.