Help us shine a light on your Healthcare Heroes!

We need your nominations for a special award to celebrate the amazing efforts of local NHS staff.

Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust and Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust are working together as NHS Humber Health Partnership (NHSHHP).

Our teams work across Hull, Scunthorpe, Grimsby, Castle Hill and Goole hospitals, and out in the community.

Our annual staff awards ceremony, Golden Stars 2025 will be held in October and we want to hear from you!

As part of those celebrations, we’re seeking nominations for the Healthcare Heroes Award. If you’ve recently been a patient at one of our five hospitals or under our community services, and want to highlight a staff member or team that made a difference to your experience, we want to hear from you!

Whether it’s a compassionate individual or a whole team of dedicated professionals you’d like thank, put them forward for this award as a mark of recognition.

Chairman for NHS HHP, Sean Lyons, said: “This is your opportunity to shine a light on some of our amazing local NHS heroes who support well over a million patients each year. Help us celebrate their remarkable efforts and outstanding achievements by putting forward a nomination today.”

Amanda Stanford, Acting Group Chief Executive for NHS HHP, added: “Our team of over 17,000 staff strive to deliver the highest quality care for our patients. If a member of our team has provided you, or a loved one, with exceptional service, I can think of no better way to express your gratitude than by nominating them for this award.”

The winner of the Healthcare Heroes award will be revealed, alongside 14 other awards, at the Golden Stars 2025 ceremony at the Baths Hall in Scunthorpe on Friday 10 October.

If you have been a patient or visitor at one of our hospitals or in our community health services, you can nominate a staff member, clinical or non-clinical, by visiting the awards website at: https://www.nlg.nhs.uk/about/trust/awards/

Nominations will be accepted up until midnight on Friday 13 June.

Water-based wellbeing programme also helps to improve patient flow

The benefits of water-based therapy have been well known for centuries to the Greeks, the Romans, and later the Ottomans, but you don’t have to step back in time to discover just how helpful this can be.

The rehabilitation medicine team at Castle Hill Hospital has been working with East Riding Leisure to offer access to tailored health and wellbeing programmes to aid patients’ physical mobility, balance, strength and confidence as they recovery from brain injury.

But the potential these programmes offer for other patients with ongoing health conditions or for those on elective surgery waiting lists is also huge.

Dr Yomi Salawu, consultant in rehabilitation medicine

Dr Yomi Salawu, consultant in rehabilitation medicine (pictured), tells us more:

“One of the most successful ways to help patients on their journey to recovery, or indeed to better health and wellbeing more generally, is to provide personalised care.

“Our team has been referring suitable patients to Good Boost since it launched late last year, and previously to the HealthiER exercise on prescription programme, as a means of supporting their ongoing recovery once they leave hospital.

“Good Boost comprises a range of pool and studio-based activity from leisure centres in Beverley and Driffield which can be tailored to individual needs and goals, plus there’s an option for people to take part in virtual programmes too.

“There is increasing clinical evidence of the beneficial effects of water-based activity in promoting recovery which is the hallmark of rehabilitation. The buoyancy of the water helps to support the weight of the body and reduce lower limb loading for people who need to practice walking, for example, while at the same time, the water provides resistance to help strengthen muscles.

“Other advantages of water-based activity include faster recovery and increased range of movement, and let’s not forget that hydrotherapy is also known to help with stress reduction, relaxation, and mental well-being too. It really is a holistic approach to health and recovery.”

Good Boost is available to patients with many different types of health condition or to people who would simply benefit from increased physical activity or improved mobility. As well as helping after an issue or illness has occurred, it can also be a vital tool in preparing people for elective surgery, helping patients to lose weight and lower their blood pressure, for example, to give them the best possible chance of successful surgery.

Clinicians can refer any patients they believe would benefit, at any stage of their care, or individuals can also self-refer. There is a small charge of £36.50 for access over 10 weeks, but this also includes access to virtual classes and to leisure centre facilities beyond the Good Boost organised sessions.

Good Boost can be used to aid prevention, treatment and recovery from most conditions, although not all patients will be suitable for referral; some common contraindications would include open wounds that are yet to heal (e.g. following surgery), active infections, tracheostomy, severe epilepsy, UTIs and illness such as a common cold or fever.

As well as the many benefits community-based exercise programmes like these bring for the individuals, there are also knock-on benefits for others too.

Dr Salawu continues:

“As health professionals, we know the importance of patients being fit for surgery, so use of Good Boost or similar exercise on prescription programmes can help to keep those who are waiting for an operation in good health, and help others who may not be in the best shape right now to improve the chances of their surgery being successful.

“If patients are fit, well and prepared for surgery, it reduces the number of cancellations or postponed operations, helps us maximise use of our theatres and surgical staff, and helps maintain timely access to surgery for other patients.

“From the perspective of my team working in rehabilitation, the delivery of programmes like these has really helped to reduce pressure on the community rehabilitation team and enabled them to see those with the most pressing needs more quickly.

“We started to see this during the COVID pandemic when leisure centres supported the physical aspects of Long Covid rehab and recovery programmes. Over time, this type of programme has continued and been extended out to more patients and conditions beyond just Long Covid, and we have continued to see benefits in both our team capacity and our patient services.

“As waiting lists for Good Boost are short, suitable patients can now access physical activity sessions earlier than they could be seen by the community therapists, which is better for them, but it also allows the community therapists to focus on the higher risk and more disabled patients for whom the leisure centre sessions would not be suitable.

“What’s also really important is that this type of programme gives people the chance to have a say in and take responsibility for their own health. Many of our patients leaving hospital are keen to continue their recovery and regain their independence, they want structure and they’re highly motivated, so this type of programme can be really empowering for those who just want to keep going without having to wait for community services either.”

Good Boost is suitable for a wide range of people, from those who are pregnant or post-partum through to people with back pain, arthritis, those on elective waiting lists and those looking to improve mobility and coordination.

An informal drop-in session for both referrers and potential participants will be held this coming Monday 7th April at 1pm at Beverley Leisure Centre. More details about the programme will be available, plus there will be the opportunity for hands-on demonstrations of the tablets used by participants, and suitable referrals can be taken on the day.

If you’re unable to attend, you can find out more from the Good Boost website or from Caroline Duke, Healthy Lifestyle Development Officer /call 07800 783593.

Thousands of women in East Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire could be suffering in silence with incontinence or bladder weakness, a hospital nurse specialist says.

Laura Rimmer, a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Urogynaecology at Humber Health Partnership, says more than six in 10 women will experience some form of incontinence during their lives.

However, despite its prevalence, many will not seek help because of embarrassment.

Urogynaecological specialist nurse Laura Rimmer

Laura, who works for the NHS group running Hull Royal Infirmary, Castle Hill Hospital, Scunthorpe General Hospital, Goole Hospital and Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital in Grimsby, is encouraging women to seek medical support.

“Too many women feel too embarrassed or worried to ask for help but taking that first step can make all the difference to their quality of life,” says Laura.

“You don’t have to suffer in silence – there are many ways we can help which don’t involve surgical intervention and can be done by yourself in the comfort of your own home.”

Urinary incontinence and bladder problems can be caused by factors including childbirth, menopause, diabetes and neurological conditions including MS. It can also be linked to bowel problems such as constipation because of the proximity of organs in female bodies.

Symptoms include a sudden urge to urinate, needing to urinate more often than usual, waking up frequently at night to urinate and involuntary loss of urine, especially during physical activities such as laughing, sneezing or exercising.

One in four women over 40 will experience incontinence during their lifetime and it’s linking to ageing, affecting 43pc of women aged 50 to 64 and more than half of women aged 65 to 80.

Those affected say it leaves them feeling isolated or depressed and it can stop them enjoying activities like dancing, running or going to the gym.

Women from both banks of the River Humber are referred to the Urogynaecology Service, based at Hull Women and Children’s Hospital, by their GP, midwife, a multi-disciplinary team or following treatment for gynaecological or bowel conditions.

They are triaged by the consultants, with Laura seeing about 25 women a week – or around 1,000 a year – for her nurse-led service.

Treatment can include pelvic floor exercises and education, conservation management using specially designed devices to prevent leaking or intermittent self-catheterisation, where women can take charge of their own bladder control without having to come for hospital or GP appointments.

Laura says: “Some women find that stopping caffeine, fizzy drinks and drinking at least two litres of water a day can help reduce symptoms while others can be helped by taking anticholinergic medication, pessaries, conservation management, pelvic floor exercise techniques or self-catheterisation.

“Whatever your problem, just remember it’s nothing we haven’t seen before and there’s no need to be embarrassed. Instead, it can make all the difference to your quality of life and help you take charge of your own health once more.”

A hospital screening service is appealing to people in East Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire to overcome their embarrassment so they can be checked for bowel cancer.

Everyone aged 50 to 74 is eligible for bowel screening every two years.

However, although bowel cancer is one of the most common cancers in the UK, figure show only 69 per cent of people send back their tests, meaning those with cancer are missing out on early treatment which could save their lives.

With Tuesday, April 1, marking the start of Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, Paula Brown, Programme Manager for Humber and Yorkshire Coast Bowel Cancer Screening Centre, urged people to do their tests at home.

She said: “We understand people feel embarrassed to talk about poo or think about toilet matters but we would urge you to overcome this and do this painless and easy test.

“You can do it in the privacy of your own toilet – no one is watching or judging you – and taking a few minutes to complete the test can give you peace of mind – or allow us to help you if you need further tests.”

The faecal immunochemical test (FIT) examines a sample of your poo for blood, one of the signs of bowel cancer. Here’s an easy, step-by-step guide from the NHS, showing you how to complete the test at home.

Humber and Yorkshire Coast Bowel Cancer Screening Centre supports people in Hull, East Yorkshire, Northern Lincolnshire and North-East Lincolnshire who require further screening for bowel cancer following the results of their initial home FIT test.

Based at Castle Hill Hospital in Cottingham and Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital in Grimsby, the team of specialist nurses known as Specialist Screening Practitioners (SSPs), doctors and admin staff help people whose home tests show abnormal levels of blood in their poo..

You’ll have a chat with one of the specialist nurses who’ll discuss your results and explain the medical procedure known as a colonoscopy where a thin, flexible tube with a camera checks for abnormalities such as polyps, inflammation or cancer.

Paula said the highly skilled hospital-based team will be able to allay any concerns or fears you may have if you’re called for further tests.

She said: ““Of those who did the test in 2021/22, just under two per cent required further testing so the chances are high that you will not need to do anything until you get your next FIT test in another two years.

“But it’s important that you do the home test in the first place, confident in the knowledge that our team will be here to help and support you if you require further examination.”

Patients across the region with endometriosis are benefiting from a specialist service which has been recognised nationally.

Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust (NLaG) and Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (HUTH) – part of the NHS Humber Health Partnership group – have yet again had their endometriosis centres accredited by the British Society of Gynaecological Endoscopy (BSGE).

This puts our gynaecology services on the map and gives patients the confidence that they’ll receive high-quality care. It’s also timely as March is Endometriosis Action Month.

Endometriosis is a condition where tissue similar to the lining of the womb is found in other parts of the body, including the ovaries, fallopian tubes, inside the tummy, and in or around the bladder or bowel. It can cause severe pelvic pain, painful intercourse and periods, bowel pain and urinary problems. Surgery for deep endometriosis is deemed complex and hence, as per National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance, these treatments should be provided in accredited centres.

Heidi Boldock was a patient at the Endometriosis Centre at Scunthorpe hospital. She said: “I was in excruciating pain for two years before I had my hysterectomy. It was a life-changing operation for me – I went from being a ‘10’ on the pain chart to being a zero. You feel like you’re in good hands because they’re experts. It also usually takes many years to get a diagnosis for endometriosis. There will be lots of people out there who won’t know how to go about getting a diagnosis. My advice is go see your GP immediately if you think there’s a problem, as early diagnosis is key.”

Heidi was so pleased with the treatment she received that she even wrote some poetry about her experience and to thank the staff who saw her.

She added: “All of the staff were excellent and I couldn’t have asked for better treatment. I am now able to live a normal life.”

Victoria Puckering was a patient at the Endometriosis Centre at Hull. She said: “I had my surgery and I was really impressed with the treatment I received. I think knowing the centre has the BSGE accreditation gives you more confidence in the service – you know they’re specialists in what they do.”

Victoria also works for the charity – Endo Buddies – which creates care packages for people undergoing surgery for endometriosis.

She added: “Although there is more awareness of endometriosis than there used to be, I definitely think there still needs to be more.”

The NLaG endometriosis team. Left to right: Dr Nauman Akhtar, Mrs Tracy Duell, Mr Ramana Kallam, Miss Preeti Gandhi, Mrs Jane Palmer and Miss Sonia Abishek

Miss Preeti Gandhi, lead consultant gynaecologist for endometriosis and advance laparoscopy services at NLaG, said: This marks our fifth consecutive year of accreditation – a testament to the dedication, expertise, and collaborative working of the specialist team delivering care to patients with complex endometriosis. For endometriosis centres, the two most important things are for the surgeons to have advance laparoscopic surgical skills and to have a team which is passionate to deliver a high-quality service to the patients suffering in pain due to endometriosis. I’d like to express my gratitude to our team and all of the supporting services for this fantastic achievement.”

Mrs Jane Allen, who is one of two consultants in the Endometriosis Centre at HUTH along with Mr Keith Cunningham, said: “We’re delighted to be awarded this accreditation. This means we’ve been recognised for providing the highest quality treatment to patients with complex and deep endometriosis. This is a great news for our patients suffering from endometriosis, as they will benefit from a specialist service at the Trust. I want to say a big thank you to the team for all their help and support.”

Hull radiographers are pioneering patient safety with specialised training to save patients experiencing life-threatening reactions during scans.

CT Specialty Manager Andrew Stephens supports training for radiographers in community-based and mobile CT scanners in Hull, York, Grimsby, Selby, and Beverley, enabling them to respond to emergencies without support from doctors.

Other hospital trusts are now following the Humber and North Yorkshire CT and MRI Scanning Service, which operates community scanning for Hull University Teaching Hospitals, Northern Lincolnshire and Goole Foundation Trust, and York Foundation Trust.

Andrew said: “We are one of the first in the country to deliver this safe service to patients and we’re very proud our service is leading the way on training.”

Patients undergoing CT or MRI scans receive contrast agents or dye injections, which help radiologists diagnose or rule out serious health issues. However, a small number experience severe allergic reactions, known as anaphylaxis, which can be fatal without immediate intervention.

While anaphylaxis is managed in hospitals by doctors and crash teams, radiographers in community scanners work alone, prompting Andrew to develop training to equip radiographers with the necessary skills. In collaboration with the trust’s Resus Department classroom-based, enhanced life-saving skills training for Radiographers is provided.

Andrew also collaborated with Hull’s Clinical Simulation team to create a scenario using a mannequin to simulate a patient with anaphylaxis.

Kirsty Stephenson, Nursing Simulation Fellow, said: “The scenario allowed staff to learn how to respond should they ever encounter this very rare reaction in real life. It gives them the chance to put what they learn in the classroom into practice, learning from mistakes or better ways of working in a safe space.”

Clinical Simulation exercises are organised every three months and the new way of working is now being introduced in CT departments at Castle Hill Hospital and Hull Royal Infirmary. Jane Boddy, MRI Specialty Manager, has also implemented the training with the MRI team, addressing the unique risks posed by powerful magnets used in MRI scans.

The new system of radiographers with enhanced life support skills will be introduced in the new Community Diagnostic Centre in Hull later this year.

Andrew has been invited to present his work to leading radiologists and radiographers at the UK Imaging and Oncology Conference in June.

A specialist in infectious diseases in Hull is warning cases of Tuberculosis (TB) are increasing, with homeless people or those with drug or alcohol addictions at risk.

TB cases rose by 13 per cent rise in England last year. While 81.5 per cent of cases were diagnosed in people born outside the UK, there was also an increase in people born in the UK.

To mark World TB Day today, Dr Patrick Lillie, Consultant in Infectious Disease at NHS Humber Health Partnership, said Hull, like other cities in the UK, could see increasing cases of TB because of social risk factors like drug misuse and rough sleeping.

Dr Lillie said: “London and the West Midlands are already seeing an increase in cases but because TB is linked to deprivation and social issues such as drug and alcohol addiction, homelessness or close living in poor-quality housing, it’s possible that other cities, including Hull, could see more cases too.

“TB is a really serious infection so it’s important that anyone showing symptoms of TB gets tested and, if confirmed, receives treatment quickly to give them the best chance of recovery.”

The UK Health Security Agency says social risk factors for TB include drug and alcohol misuse, homelessness, prison and mental health needs. More than 17 per cent of people with TB are affected by one or more of these factors. Asylum seekers are also at risk of TB because of deprivation and poor social conditions.

TB mainly affects the lungs but can affect any part of the body, including lymph nodes, bones and the brain, causing meningitis. It spreads when a person with TB in their lungs coughs or sneezes.

Symptoms can include a cough lasting more than three weeks, high temperature or drenching night sweats, loss of appetite, unexplained weight loss and feeling tired or exhausted.

Anyone showing symptoms of TB should see a GP or be encouraged to seek medical advice as soon as possible.

Patients with brain tumours are to benefit from precision surgery after Hull’s team of neurosurgeons secured a £100,000 investment to upgrade technology.

NHS Humber Health Partnership has invested £100,000 in digital software to enable neurosurgeons to conduct brain surgery with pinpoint accuracy, reducing the risk of damage to key functions like speech, vision and movement.

The neurosurgery team, based in the Neurosciences Unit at Hull Royal Infirmary, will now be able offer safer and more effective treatment to patients with brain tumours or aneurysms using the Elements software by medical technology company Brainlab.

Consultant Neurosurgeon Chittoor Rajaraman said: “For the first time in Hull, we will be able to use this technology to offer patients safer surgery, with better outcomes.

“Hull is keeping pace with developments in neurosurgery so, although we are a smaller unit compared to other parts of the country, our patients are receiving the best possible treatment delivered by the latest technological advances.”

Hull Royal Infirmary’s neurosurgeons treat around 80 patients a year with cancerous brain tumours called Glioblastoma (GB). Although the most common type of malignant brain tumour, Glioblastoma is incurable and grows rapidly. Surgery aims to give patients the best quality of life for as long as possible and neurosurgeons attempt to remove the tumour from the brain, known as resection.

However, this type of brain surgery carries high risk of damage to important parts of the brain such as those used to control movements, speech or vision because of their proximity to the tumour. “Brain shift” can also occur during surgery, rendering scans taken before the patient is in theatre less accurate.

Hull is one of over 15 neurosurgery units around the country, including King’s College, Oxford and Imperial College in London, which have been taking part in a national surgical trial known as FUTURE-GB for the past four years.

More than 300 patients are being monitored over two stages to see what difference a combination of new technology makes to post-surgery recovery, quality of life and survival.

Based on their experience in the trial using the latest software, Mr Rajaraman and his team have secured funding over five years to pay for the new Elements software, enabling neurosurgeons to plan each step of surgery to map and remove as much of the tumour as possible.

Real-time ultrasound imaging is produced during surgery, providing the neurosurgeon with on-the-spot information to help them adapt or change course if brain shift has occurred to protect key “wiring” in the brain as it can combine with the tractography images of the Brainlab Elements software.

Intra-operative ultrasound helps to reduce the time patients spend in theatre as the neurosurgery team will no longer have to halt the already-complex surgery to send the patient for an MRI scan to check the progress of the resection.

Mr Rajaraman said: “We can request ultrasound scans within a minute or two and then carry on, without the need to stop surgery for a patient to have an MRI.

“It is much better for the patient, achieving better outcomes and a greater quality of life for as long as possible.”

Knowing you may be at risk of developing ovarian cancer could help you live longer, a hospital cancer doctor says.

As part of Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, Dr Georgios Bozas, a Consultant Oncologist at the Queen’s Centre in East Yorkshire, says symptoms of the disease often only appear at an advanced stage.

However, as one in five cases are linked to family history, knowing you’re in at higher risk and taking note of symptoms should encourage you to seek medical advice as soon as you notice changes which may be linked to ovarian cancer.

Dr Bozas said: “Ovarian cancer is the second most common gynaecological cancer and is the sixth most common cancer in women the UK, affecting about 7500 women  and claiming around 4,000 lives a year.

“Early diagnosis can improve outcomes but the problem is symptoms usually appear when the cancer is at an advanced stage.

“Knowing you may be at risk of developing ovarian cancer means you can go to your GP as soon as you notice any symptom associated with the condition rather than waiting or putting it off, giving you the best possible chance of survival.”

Ovarian cancer develops when cells in the ovary grow and divide uncontrollably. They can form a tumour on the ovary or break off and spread to other parts of the body, most commonly in the abdomen, intestines, liver and stomach.

It’s most common in women over 50, those who have never had children, women with a family history of breast, colon or ovarian cancer in a close relative such as a mother, daughter or sister, women who are overweight or suffer from endometriosis. Diabetes, smoking, alcohol consumption, asbestos exposure and very late menopause may also have an association with the development of ovarian cancer Up to Around 20pc of cases are linked to inherited faulty genes, such as BRCA1/BRCA2  (which are also associated with breast cancer and others).

Some of the most common symptoms of ovarian cancer are

• Bloating
• Feeling full quickly, even if you haven’t eaten much
• Upset stomach or changes to bowel movements
• Frequent urination
• Pelvic or abdominal pain

Dr Bozas and the multi-disciplinary team at the Queen’s Centre at Castle Hill Hospital see around 120 patients each year with ovarian cancer, with the average age of 65 to 67.

Once a woman has been referred to the service by her GP following a blood test and ultrasound, she will be referred to the surgical team for surgery to remove as much of the cancer as possible.

Some women may undergo pre-operative chemotherapy first before surgery or only chemotherapy is their case isn’t suitable for surgery. Other treatments include targeted therapy, hormone treatments and immunotherapy.

Did you know that around 80,000 across the Humber region have chronic kidney disease – and we began treating over 1,000 new patients in the last year alone?

And that’s why today, on World Kidney Day, our teams are going to be on hand to speak to you about the importance of good kidney health.

The team will be in the main foyer at Hull Royal Infirmary from 11am until 3pm, when you can find out more about how to reduce your risk of kidney disease and how organ donation can help to transform the lives of those whose kidneys have failed.

Top tips for good kidney health

Renal Transplant Nurse Practitioner, Elaine Harrison, said: “Your kidneys play a vital role in your overall health as their main function is to remove toxins and excess water from your blood. They also help to control your blood pressure, produce red blood cells and keep your bones healthy.

“It’s important to be aware that while Chronic Kidney Disease is very common – with one in 10 adults having some form of kidney damage – there are often no signs or symptoms of anything being wrong until the disease is in its late stages.

“Detecting kidney disease early can make a significant difference in how we can treat and manage your condition, so if you’re at risk of kidney disease it’s important that you get tested regularly.”

Factors which can increase the risk include:

• Diabetes
• Hypertension
• Cardiovascular disease
• Obesity
• A history of kidney disease in your family

Elaine added: “On World Kidney Day, we want to help spread the word about the importance of getting regular tests but also how to reduce the risk of developing kidney disease.

“Things that are good for your general health are great for keeping your kidneys healthy, such as being fit and active and eating a healthy diet. It’s also important to have a good awareness of things like your blood sugar levels and blood pressure and make sure that you keep these in check.

“Unsurprisingly, good hydration is brilliant for kidney health. How much water you need to drink depends on lots of factors, including how active you are and how hot it is but, as a general rule, most people need around two litres of water a day.

“Smoking can adversely affect kidney health, as it slows the flow of blood  to the kidneys and can decrease their ability to function normally. It’s also important not to take over-the-counter pain killers such as ibuprofen regularly, as this can also harm your kidneys.”

Transplants – giving the gift of life

A kidney transplant can transform the life of someone with kidney disease – across NHS Humber Health Partnership, we are currently caring for 522 patients who have undergone kidney transplants.

Kidneys are the most commonly donated organs donated by living people, and about a third of all kidney transplants carried out in the UK are from living donors.

Kidneys can be donated to a friend or family member, or someone you don’t already know – and, in most cases, donations from living donors offer the best long-term outcome for the recipient.

Studies have shown that the average patient survival at 10 years is 90% with a living donor transplant compared to 75% after a deceased donor transplant – although, of course, both options are much better than having no transplant at all.

Anyone volunteering to donate a kidney is asked to undertake a series of tests, so the medical team can be absolutely sure they are suitable – and the health and safety of the potential donor is the primary concern. It’s also important to note that the process is completely voluntary, and the donor is able to change their mind, right up to the point of having the surgery.

People who are not compatible with close relatives, can donate to a pool where the most suitable matches can then access a kidney.

You can hear more about the process, including interviews with patients and donors here, in a series of videos made by NHS Blood and Transplant, with Transplant TV.

Another way you can help is to register as an Organ Donor, giving permission for your organs and tissues to be donated after you have died.

Not many people die in circumstances that make it possible for them to donate their organs – but for those who do, they can save up to nine lives, which is why every potential donor is so precious.

Ian Hoggarth signed the Organ Donation register six weeks before he tragically died from Sudden Cardiac Death.

Ian Hoggarth

His proud mum, Barbara said: “He has just moved to manager for a new job and renewed his driving licence – signing up to the Organ Donation register to agree to his organs and tissues being donated.

“We, as a family, also gave permission for this to happen and one of his kidneys went to a family man in his twenties.

“The other went to a lady called Jane in her forties. She had been diabetic from the age of nine and on dialysis for three years.

“We have been in touch with Jane in Scotland for many years and have become good friends. We never underestimate what she has gone through and the ongoing medication and checks she has to endure. However, she has told us how amazingly Ian’s gift has changed her life.

“She has been able to travel to see relatives in Canada. She has seen her nephews grow up and one now has a daughter who is her great niece. She adores her.

“She tells everyone to consider Organ Donation and sign up with their wishes online, to share their decision with their family and make a difference should the unthinkable happen.”

You can find out more about Organ Donation here.