The Organ Utilisation Podcast

In this episode of the Organ Utilisation Podcast, Phil Walton is joined by Derek Manas, Lisa Burnapp and Carrie Scuffell to explore Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) and its growing role in transplantation.

Together, they discuss the origins of ERAS, the evidence behind it, and how a whole-patient approach, from prehabilitation through to rehabilitation, can improve recovery and outcomes after transplant surgery. The conversation highlights the importance of setting expectations, empowering patients, and shifting the focus from simply caring for the transplanted organ to optimising the health and wellbeing of the person receiving it.

Whether you're involved in transplantation or simply interested in improving patient outcomes, this episode offers practical insights into an important development in modern surgical care.

In the episode weblinks and email addresses are mentioned, which are below.

Webpage: Enhanced Recovery After Surgery - ODT Clinical - NHS Blood and TransplantEmail - [email protected]

In this episode of the Organ Utilisation Podcast, Phil Walton is joined by Carrie Scuffell, Nick Inston and Vasiliki Gerovasili to explore the role of Offer Review Schemes in transplantation. Together, they discuss how organ acceptance and decline decisions are reviewed, the lessons being learned across the transplant community, and how greater collaboration is helping to improve organ utilisation nationwide.

The conversation highlights the growing culture of shared learning, the impact of Clinical Leads for Utilisation (CLU) teams, and the ongoing efforts to ensure that every suitable organ has the best possible chance of benefiting a patient in need.

Whether you work in organ donation, transplantation, or simply want to better understand how these complex decisions are made, this episode provides valuable insight into one of the most important challenges in modern transplantation.

In this episode, Phil Walton is joined by Derek Manas, Laura Barton, James Hunter and Andy Fisher to discuss the latest progress of the ARCs programme. The conversation explores the evolution of machine technology from origins to ARCS and zooms in on organ selection criteria. Packed with expert insight, a few behind-the-scenes laughs, and a glimpse of what's next for the programme, this episode highlights how innovation and collaboration are helping to shape the future of transplantation.

Got questions or ideas for future episodes? Get in touch with the team at [email protected].

Episode 1: Assessm;ent and Recovery Centres — What Are ARCs and Why Do They Matter?

In the first episode of the Organ Utilisation Podcast,host Phil Walton is joined by a panel of national experts to explore Assessment and Recovery Centres (ARCs) — what they are, where they came from, and howthey could transform the future of organ transplantation.

Together, our guests discuss the origins of the ARCprogramme, the clinical and operational challenges it aims to address, and theopportunities ARCs present for improving organ utilisation and transplant outcomes across the UK.

Guests:

• Laura Barton: ARCs Programme Director, NHS Blood and Transplant
• James Hunter: Kidney & Pancreas surgeon and Clinical Lead ARC.
• Derek Manas: Medical Director, Organ Donation & Transplantation (NHS Blood and Transplant)
• Andrew Fisher: Lung Transplant Physician, Clinical Lead, Lung ARC.
• David Nasralla: Liver Transplant surgeon, Clinical Lead, Liver ARC.

🔔 Please note: The views shared in this podcast are those of the individuals and do notnecessarily reflect the views of NHS Blood and Transplant, the wider NHS, or associated organisations.

📢 Get involved
We’d love to hear your feedback and suggestions for future episodes. You can contact the ARCs team at: [email protected]

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