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Other Trust news and updates
Our surgical team giving hope to children in Gaza A team of four clinicians from the Royal’s transplant unit, led by Abdul Hammad has carried out the first ever kidney transplants on children in Gaza, Palestine. Doctors at Shifa Hospital had never carried out kidney transplants and didn’t have the necessary drugs and equipment, so called upon Abdul’s expertise. He has now travelled to Shifa hospital in the Gaza Strip three times. Along with Adham Al Bakri, Sanjay Mehra and Professor Derek Middleton, Abdul now intends to bring hope to Gaza’s 500 dialysis patients, 60 of whom are children. One of those children, nine year old Fatma Othman was on dialysis for two months before the team from the Royal arrived, enabling her mother Marwa to donate a kidney for her transplant. Before the surgery, Abdul assured Fatma she can look forward to having a new kidney when she wakes up. Another patient, Abdel Motalib Awad, 9, has Bartter Syndrome, a defect that has caused profound deafness and kidney failure almost from birth. Without surgery, Abdel could have died within six months. But his mother, Sharifah, was able to donate her kidney. Mr Hammad said: “This little boy is a fighter. His arm was swollen from the dialysis and
Proud nursing traditions commemorated Liverpool has a proud history in nursing care – Liverpool was the first city to have district nurses, established in 1859 by William Rathbone and Liverpool was also where the first school of nursing outside London, established 150 years ago. The Royal has been instrumental in both of these services and on the 20 September, descendant of William Rathbone, Julian Rathbone, unveiled a new plaque to commemorate the first District Nursing Service as well as the first Nurse Training school to be established outside London. The event, organised by Alderman Roger Johnston (former council member) the event was attended by Lord Mayor of Liverpool Cllr Gary Millar, the Lord Lieutenant of Merseyside Dame Lorna Muirhead, the President of the Royal College of Nursing Andrea Spyropoulos, Chair of the Trust Judith Greensmith.
I was worried about the outcome. In fact, I barely slept before the operation, but it went very well. This is what we’re in the profession for, and this is why we’re in Gaza. A transplant was this child’s only chance of survival.” Abdel’s father said his son had suffered terribly with his veins from the dialysis, adding: “His whole arm had swollen up as one of his last veins had started to collapse. We’re so happy – and my wife is so proud that she’s been able to give a kidney to him.” The team from the Royal are also keen to make it possible for people to donate kidneys after they have died – something that doesn’t happen in Gaza at present. Abdul addressed the Palestinian Legislative Council, the government of the Gaza Strip, and they agreed there was no reason why organs should not be donated after death.
The life saving team from the Royal – Abdul Hammad, Sanjay Mehra and Adham Al Bakri
Abdul said: “The best treatment for kidney failure is kidney transplant. It immeasurably improves and extends the life of a patient. And the important thing is we’re helping the staff here to establish a permanent renal transplantation centre.” A team from the Shifa is due to visit the Royal soon to learn the necessary skills to carry out transplant surgery themselves.
“Highly commended” Alma recognised at national awards WRVS manager Alma Edwards was recently recognised at The National Skills Academy’s Rising Stars Award ceremony in September. Alma was “Highly commended” in the category of ‘Retail Learner of the Year’ at the awards, which celebrates and recognises talent in retail, after completing a year-long NVQ level three course in retail management. Alma has worked for the Royal voluntary service as a service manager for 15 years and has supported both paid and unpaid workers during her time with us as manager. Alma Edwards, second right, with Jane Rexworthy, Sam Malvern and Theo Paphitis
Nine year old Fatma, smiling with joy following her kidney transplant