Waiting lists for kidney transplants hits highest number in 10 years

The number of people awaiting a kidney transplant is 10% higher than a year ago, NHS figures have highlighted.

New health data has shown that the number of people on waiting lists for a kidney transplant is at its highest in a decade, with 6,250 individuals waiting for a kidney.

More than 600 people were removed from the transplant list in the last 12 months because they became too unwell to undergo the procedure. In addition, nearly 300 individuals died before receiving a transplant.

A report published by Kidney Care UK has revealed that someone is diagnosed with kidney failure every hour.

Roughly 8,000 adults started kidney replacement therapy in 2021, increasing by 7.3% since the year before.

Experts believe that the number of people needing kidney replacement therapy will rise in the near future due to spiralling cases of type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and an ageing population.

According to the report, more than seven million people will be living with chronic kidney disease (CKD) by 2033.

Fiona Loud, policy director at Kidney Care UK, said: “We’re extremely concerned and saddened that the waiting list for kidney transplants is at the longest it has been in a decade.

“Now is the time for the government to get a grip on transplantation. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the waiting list and opportunities have been missed to make the most of the change in organ donation law to an opt-out system.”

One in five people with type 2 diabetes end up needing a kidney transplant, making the disease one of the leading causes of kidney failure.

In 2023, the number of people living with diabetes in the UK hit more than five million for the first time, according to Diabetes UK.

The report states: “Growing waiting lists and a failure to recover from the 30% drop in transplants during the pandemic, have led to a worsening situation for transplant patients.”

A total of 1,753 people are on the kidney waiting list in London alone, with these individuals expected to wait around 500 days for a transplant from the time they were put on the list.

Individuals who have undergone, or waiting for, a kidney transplant are at risk of experiencing financial and psychological problems, the study has reported.

The report states: “Those at risk should be screened to allow for earlier detection and better access to treatments which can help slow the disease.

“Greater public awareness about organ donation, NHS staff training, investment in transplant technology and access to theatre space for operations to take place are also vital to improve services.”

Fiona Loud noted: “We need the government to prevent more people developing kidney disease, the NHS to provide the best possible care, and for the provision of theatre spaces, technology, education and awareness or we risk more people dying before they get the chance to receive that life changing call.”

A representative for NHS Blood and Transplant said: “Over 6,000 people are waiting for a kidney transplant.

“More than 3,300 kidney transplant operations took place last year, but we need more people to sign the NHS Organ Donor Register and we need to be innovative to make the best use of every precious organ. We look forward to working with Government to address this.”

A spokesperson from the Department of Health and Social Care said: “Waiting lists are too high, meaning patients who need a kidney transplant have not been able to access the care they so desperately need so it is vital we get the NHS back on its feet and ensure it is fit for the future.

“We will provide an extra 40,000 appointments a week and double the number of CT and MRI scanners to help the NHS beat the backlog, with extra clinics at evenings and weekends.”