Professor Kelly steps back

Professor Deirdre Kelly, who started the liver unit at Birmingham Children’s Hospital, has retired from clinical duties after more than three decades. Professor Kelly joined Birmingham Children’s Hospital in 1989, setting up the unit when paediatric transplantation in the UK was very new. “At first, people were quite negative about the idea of infant transplantation, ” she said. “But we soon showed them that the process could work and used our published data and experience to convince them. “When I began, I wanted not just to set up the best Liver Unit in the world but also to make sure children and families felt welcomed and cared for. With the help of a marvellous team, I think we succeeded. ”

Starting from humble beginnings in a Portakabin, a small team and just two beds at the former Five Ways Children’s Hospital site, the Liver Unit almost immediately started to improve the lives of children.Within two years the survival rate of infants undergoing transplantation had increased from 40 per cent to about 90 per cent.

Today the Birmingham Children’s Hospital Liver Unit enjoys an international reputation for excellence and a dedicated and expert multi-disciplinary team of more than 50 that includes doctors, nurses, surgeons and allied health professionals, who care for hundreds of patients each year. Professor Kelly added: “I’m retiring from routine clinical care but will continue to use my experience to help children with liver disease. ”

Chief Executive, Alison Taylor reflected " Professor Kelly is a legendary pioneer in the field of paediatric liver care and we know just how much the families and young people she has cared for love her. Her career and achievements are mind boggling. We wish Deirdre all the best for her retirement from clinical care and look forward continuing to work with her on a range of ongoing voice projects. "

Continued success of CLDF Transplant storybook

SPACE

"Thank you so much for recently sending a copy of 'Joe’s Liver Transplant Story' to us. It’s been a huge

success!"

says Frankie's mum Niamh. "Frankie was only one and a half when he had his transplant, and he has very few memories of that time. We want him to understand what he’s been through and have the vocabulary to comfortably talk about it (which comes in handy now he loves lifting up his top to show off his scars!) The book has been a brilliant resource, he loves comparing pictures of himself in ICU to Joe.

The CLDF book continues to be given to families by the specialist centres during the transplant journey. We can also send you a copy. It could be that you haven't received one via the hospital or your child had a transplant some time ago before the book was developed. You may also think that a copy for school, siblings or grandchildren might be useful. You can request a copy via the website www.childliverdisease.org/family-resource-order-form/ or email families@childliverdisease.org