Transplant patients enjoyed an emotional return to the hospital trust where they received their new organs to help staff celebrate a double milestone.

The Atrium at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham (QEHB) was given over to display stands to help commemorate the 45^th anniversary of the first kidney transplant carried out at University Hospitals Birmingham (UHB).

The event, which coincided with World Kidney Day, also marked the 35^th anniversary of the Kidney Patients' Association (KPA) at QEHB.

Staff and former patients helped raise awareness of kidney disease by providing information to visitors about the condition and the treatments available. The display, which ran from 09:30 – 16:00, included a kidney dialysis machine.

Among the former renal transplant patients returning to the QE site was Gavin Giles, who underwent his life-saving kidney transplant nearly two years ago.

Gavin, aged 38, from Selly Oak, Birmingham, has recovered to such a degree that he will be competing as a cyclist in the World Transplant Games in South Africa in July.

He said: “I am very happy to support this event. I had my transplant nearly two years ago, but I have been under the QE Hospital from 1996. The nursing staff have been brilliant throughout, so I took some cakes round to them earlier as a thank you. The day has just been incredible.”

Gavin, who will represent Great Britain at the World Transport Games in Durban, was diagnosed with a rare kidney disease at the age of 12. He eventually needed a new kidney, which was donated by his wife's brother, Darren.

Renal Sister, Siobhan McEntee, who is based on CAPD, said of the event: “It is all about raising awareness of kidney disease and dialysis. There has been a lot of interest.”

And Nick Flint, chairman of QEH Kidney Patients' Association, who had his transplant more than 15 years ago, said: “There has been tremendous change in renal treatment since the first transplant was carried out here 45 years ago.”

The event was also attended by kidney consultant Paul Cockwell, who is also Clinical Service Lead for Renal Medicine at QEHB. He said: “It is important for people to be aware of kidney disease, which affects about one in ten people in the community.

“Unlike most medical conditions, people with kidney disease usually have no symptoms and are recognised by a blood test or urine test. We are working hard with general practitioners to improve identification and treatment of people with kidney disease with good success.

“For people with more advanced kidney disease that needs treatment with dialysis or kidney transplantation, we are providing treatment for increasing numbers of people with home dialysis and living kidney transplantation.”

Further information about the KPA is available on their website.