New trial using skin patches as an ‘early warning system’ to spot lung transplant rejection

Lung transplant rejection rates are high and cause injury – around 55% of patients are alive after five years. The transplants will be carried out by the lung transplants teams at specialist Cardiothoracic Centres across England. Donor families will need to give consent for the skin transplant to take place, which will be requested by NHS Blood and Transplant nurses. Health Minister, Maria Caulfield, said: 'This trial offers hope to lung transplant patients across the country. Early detection of organ rejection means a healthier transplant, giving people greater control of their care and speeding up access to treatment.