In this section
We are the specialist centre for lifesaving heart and lung transplant operations for the North West of England, serving a population of over 6.5 million across Manchester, Liverpool, Blackpool, Sheffield and Leeds. Patients from across the UK also choose to come to MFT based on our excellent reputation and survival rates. Our renowned Transplant Team is led by Mr Vipin Mehta, Director of Transplantation.
Our Achievements and Activity
- Around 60 lifesaving heart, lung and LVAD transplant operations are performed each year.
- Reached 1000 transplants in 2014 and 1500 heart and lung transplants in 2025.
- In 2026, our Cardiothoracic Transplant Perioperative Team received an Excellence Award in Organ and Tissue Retrieval from the British Transplantation Society and NHS Blood and Transplant.
- Successful introduction of Impella 5.5 for circulatory support and EVLP (Ex Vivo Lung Perfusion) for lung assessment and reconditioning.
- Over 100 durable LVAD implantations (HeartMate 2/3) with outcomes among the best in the UK.
- Wythenshawe Hospital is a national Respiratory ECMO Centre and was at the forefront of advanced respiratory care during the COVID epidemic.
MFT Transplant Ward – Jim Quick Ward
Our specialist transplant inpatient ward provides comprehensive care before and after transplant surgery. With 16 beds, it is one of the largest self-contained transplant units in the UK. Services include bronchoscopy, heart endomyocardial biopsy and full pre-transplant assessment.
Patients undergo a detailed assessment before joining the transplant list. Once a suitable organ becomes available, surgery is performed by our highly skilled transplant surgeons.
Donor Retrieval Team
Our Donor Retrieval Team retrieves organs both for our centre and for other transplant centres across the UK. The team includes specialist nurses, transplant fellows and associate specialist doctors skilled in organ assessment and retrieval.
Surgery
We perform:
- Heart transplant
- Single and double lung transplant
- Heart–lung transplant
- Ventricular assist device implantation (bridge to transplant, bridge to decision, or post-transplant support)
Our team has contributed to global development of DCD heart transplantation and EVLP.
Transplant Surgeons
Heart and Lung
- Mr Vipin Mehta (Director of Transplantation)
- Mr Vasudev Pai (Retrieval NORS Team Lead)
- Mr Sean Bello
- Mr Muhammad Nadeem Khawaja
- Mr Ninad Kotkar
Lung
- Mr James Bar
Transplant Physicians
Heart
- Dr Steve Shawe
- Dr Paul Callan
- Dr Jacquelyn Hooper
- Prof Simon Williams
- Dr Sally Hickman
Lungs
- Dr Karthik Santhanakrishnan (Clinical Lead Cardiothoracic Transplant)
- Dr Alexandra Ball
- Dr John Blaikley
Post‑Surgery Care
Patients receive immediate care in our Cardiothoracic Critical Care Unit, one of the largest in the UK. They then return to the transplant ward for ongoing recovery.
After discharge, patients have regular follow‑up including two‑weekly checks, rejection monitoring and biopsies for up to two years. Many patients return years later for further treatment and often describe the unit as feeling like an extended family.
Support Groups
We offer:
- Social worker support
- Psychologist‑led transplant support groups
- Tailored physiotherapy and gym programmes
- Specialist dietitian support
Buddy Scheme
Transplant recipients and LVAD patients volunteer as buddies to support others through their journey. All volunteers are registered through the Trust.
New Start – Wythenshawe Hospital Transplant Fund
Established in 1986, New Start supports technological advances, research, education and major infrastructure projects for the transplant programme.
Partnership Working
We work closely with Biochemistry, Infectious Diseases, Microbiology, Nephrology, Haematology and referring hospitals to ensure seamless patient care.
Research
Current studies include:
- Sentinel Flap research
- F‑Custos study
- Guardian registry
- E‑CLAD trial
Referrals for Transplantation
Patients are referred by their hospital consultants. The transplant team determines suitability for outpatient or inpatient assessment.
Lung Transplant Referrals
Lung Transplant Referral criteria
Email: Transplant.Admin@mft.nhs.uk
Postal address: Cardiothoracic Transplant Unit, Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Southmoor Road, Manchester M23 9LT
Heart Transplant Referrals
For non‑urgent outpatient referrals: send a letter to the above address.
For urgent discussions regarding heart failure or cardiogenic shock: contact the on‑call team via switchboard 0161 998 7070.
Contact Us
Transplant Centre Office (Mon–Fri, 8am–5pm)
- Appointments: 0161 291 2200
- General enquiries: 0161 291 2092
Additional Contacts
- Secretaries: 0161 291 3184 / 3193
- Pre‑Transplant Coordinators: 0161 291 2352
- Jim Quick Ward: 0161 291 2204
Location
The Transplant Centre is located in the Green Zone, Wythenshawe Hospital, near Entrance 8 off Floats Road.
Consultants
- Mr Vipin Mehta - Consultant in cardiac surgery and heart & lung transplantation
- Mr Nnamdi Nwaejike - Consultant Cardiac and Transplant Surgeon