Scottish Donation and Transplant Group written update: August 2025
Written updates from the meeting of the group held on 21 August 2025.
Living donation update
Update given by:
- Jen Lumsdaine, Living Donor Co-ordinator, NHS Lothian
Education and publicity
Providing up-to-date and consistent information to all kidney patients who may benefit from a transplant and prospective living donors has been a priority of the Living Donation Scotland Board since inception in 2016. The current information packs are being reviewed and work is ongoing to produce cost effective and user friendly replacement information.
Further initiatives to increase awareness of non-directed altruistic donation in Scotland are ongoing, including working with the Robert Dangoor Partnership (UK) to identify areas for awareness, including blood donor centres. The Robert Dangoor Partnership have also developed a formalised living donor buddy system, with several Scottish ‘buddies’ undertaking training and support.
Information concerning the change in legislation concerning Supply of Information about Transplants from 1 July 2025 has been circulated to the renal; transplant and living donor healthcare professionals.
Renal Education and Choices at Home (REACH transplant)
We are delighted to announce, following a competitive interview process, the appointment of the new REACH transplant Programme Lead. Ali Reed brings a wide range of renal, transplant and education experience to the role, including time as a REACH Transplant Specialist Nurse in Tayside.
As previously discussed, the post will be facilitated by the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service and incorporates the quality improvement initiative to improve timely kidney transplantation in Scotland. We look forward to Ali starting her role in September.
Living Donation Scotland Board and timely transplantation
Living Donation Scotland Board membership has been reviewed in light of the timely transplantation work, and we are also pleased to welcome additional donor and recipient representatives. The next online meeting is scheduled for September. Funding is being sought for the annual Scottish Living Donor Forum in Stirling in December.