Has anyone recently had a tranplant assessment done in England?

[littlemo]

I am awaiting an appointment to go for liver transplant assessment in London and am wondering what to expect when I get there?

[LindaRose]

The assessments vary hospital to hospital, which one are you going to? You will basically go through a battery of tests, xrays etc to make sure you are fit enough but unwell enough to have the transplant ! Lots of blood tests, fitness tests, meetings with doctors etc. Certainly nothing to worry about. They will then look at all their results, talk amongst themselves and then decide if you are a suitable candidate

[busylady]

Hi little mo, I have been assessed twice and this is a quick round up.............

For the assessment I had to go in for a week, mainly because as an in patient it is easier for them to squeeze you into slots for each of the tests.

You have - all the routine bloods done - no surprise there then!!

I had an MRI scan with contrast ( an injection to show up the blood supply to the liver)

Cardio ultrasound ( to check heart OK for operation) and an ECG ( same as before)

Lung volume/function tests - lots of nose clips and blowing into machine to check lung capacity

Liver ultrasound ( but like you have these every 6 months now anyway) to check for tumours.

Chest x ray

You also meet a dietician, who discusses your diet and maintaining weight

You see a pharmasist who goes through all the meds with you - I was put on calcium and Vit D tabs by them.

You also see a social worker who tends to chat about your home/social support network etc and financial worries, would discuss what your children know and they also have information they can give them to look at that would be age appropriate.

You also see a transplant nurse specialist who will go through it all with you.

The ward rounds are very multidisciplinary, you are seen by the surgeons, anaesthatist and your Consultant. They see you once a day and will go through the test results as they get the,

Then they have a once a week meeting with everyone there ( social workers, dietician, nurses, anaesthatist surgeons) to discuss your case and your results and if you should go on the list.

Hope that helps? I am writing a blog of my experiences as I am now on the list, if you want to please feel free to have a look

angiewithpbc.blogspot.co.uk/

[littlemo]

Thanks for that girls I am having mine done in King College Hospital in London so any info greatly appreciated. bfn take care.