All specialist services within the NHS require a referral from another specialist or from a GP.
As Hand Transplantation is so rare and unusual, many doctors are not aware of how or where to refer. We will accept contact directly from patients seeking to be assessed. We will then offer advice on how to ask for a referral from a GP or Specialist and what to expect.
We will accept contact directly from patients seeking to be assessed.
The UK Hand Transplant Service in Leeds is funded from the centre of the NHS through Specialist commissioning by NHS England and so the cost of hand transplantation will not impact on the budgets of the referring GP practice.
Throughout our patients’ care we keep in very close contact with their GP and Specialists, as well as inviting some local surgeons and transplant physicians to be involved in their care if they go forward to transplant. This allows us to supervise and share care without demanding frequent visits to Leeds from the patient. Please note however, that during the assessment period prior to an offer of transplant, we will require at least four visits in a year to our clinic in Leeds to allow us to get a clear picture of the patient’s health, any fluctuations in immunological profile and complete the exchange of information needed for informed consent. It also allows our Clinical Psychology Team to explore the patient’s needs and how we might address them best.
Enquiry form
If you feel that Hand Transplantation may be appropriate for you, please submit your information using the enquiry form.
Hand and Upper Limb Transplant Enquiry Form (42kB)
The Hand Transplant Team will review your details and respond using the contact method of your choice.
By submitting you are giving consent to secure and confidential storage of your details by Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.
Referral form
If you are a healthcare professional wishing to refer a patient, please complete the referral form.
Transplant referral form (135kB)
What happens next?
After receiving a referral, the patient will be invited to attend a hand transplant clinic to discuss their limb loss and transplantation.
The hand transplant clinics occur approximately every 3 to 4 months and are attended by various people from the multi-disciplinary team (MDT). This includes surgeons, clinical psychologists, transplant physicians, rehabilitation consultants, occupational therapists, physiotherapists and specialist nurses involved in transplant. They will ask detailed questions about why the patient’s hand was removed or has no function, their general state of health, and why they feel a hand transplant would be of benefit to them. The patient will have the opportunity to discuss at length the risks and benefits of the procedure as they apply in their individual case.
Due to the complexity of the procedure, it is expected that several appointments will be required in order for the patient to come to a fully informed decision as to whether a transplant is right for them. During these appointments we will undertake blood tests, x-rays and photographs, and check their general health.
There is no rush to make a decision. This stage takes as long as it needs to take and can vary between individuals. At any stage of the process, a patient always has the right to decide that a hand transplant is not right for them.