Clydebank hospital performed most adult heart transplants in UK

The Golden Jubilee University National Hospital performed the highest number of adult heart transplants in the UK during the period of April 1 2025 to March 31 2026, with 40 life-saving operations carried out through Scotland’s national service.

The operations were delivered by the Scottish National Advanced Heart Failure Service (SNAHFS), based at the hospital.

Jonathan Dalzell, consultant cardiologist and clinical lead for SNAHFS, said: "Our multi-disciplinary team is proud to have carried out the highest number of heart transplants in the UK over the past year, but we never lose sight of what ultimately makes transplantation possible.

"We remain deeply grateful to organ donors and their families for the life-saving, and life-changing, gift they provide.

"Behind every transplant is an extraordinary act of generosity and bravery from a donor and their loved ones.

"We are incredibly grateful to every donor family who, during unimaginably difficult circumstances, make the decision to give others the gift of life."

NHS Golden Jubilee has performed the most adult heart transplants in the UK over the past year (Image: NHS Golden Jubilee)

Among those helped by the service is Lorraine Bowman, a former midwife from Bellshill, who received a heart transplant last year.

Lorraine was diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy during pregnancy with her daughter Hayley, who is now 34 and is also a nurse.

The 60-year-old was on shift when the first heart transplant in Scotland took place at Glasgow’s Royal Infirmary in January 1992, which was also the time when Lorraine’s heart problems were first noticed.

She was also told it was not likely she would have any other children, but five years later she went on to have her son Jack.

Lorraine said: "I had a defibrillator fitted around 2001 and things were fine until there was a slow progression of heart failure over a number of years, but I was on a recent holiday and I had to come home as my defibrillator was firing quite a lot.

"I was then put on the transplant list and was on that for about a year and it was a really tough time for the family and myself.

"But since my transplant my life has definitely improved so much.

"Before, I was terrified to do things, but now I can make plans, go shopping, take my grandchildren to the park, just simple things I couldn’t do before.

"I’ve even joined the Heart Transplant Active – Scotland team that is competing at the UK Transplant Games next week (August 6-9), so we’re all really looking forward to that.

"It’s just been amazing being given this second chance at life and I can’t thank the brave organ donor and their family enough for what they have given me and my family."

Nearly 600 patients have benefited from heart transplants in Scotland since the first was performed in January 1992.

Improvements in surgical techniques, technology, and organ preservation continue to improve patient outcomes and expand opportunities for transplantation.

The Golden Jubilee Hospital's recent milestone reflects the dedication of clinical and support staff from all areas of the transplant pathway, including surgeons, cardiologists, nurses, transplant coordinators, anaesthetists, perfusionists, physiotherapists, pharmacists, psychologists, dietitians, laboratory teams, and many others.

Carolynne O’Connor, chief executive of NHS Golden Jubilee, said: "To have performed 40 heart transplants in a year and to be the leading heart transplant centre in the UK is an outstanding achievement for our national service.

"This achievement reflects the collective efforts of a highly skilled multidisciplinary team working across the entire transplant pathway, from donation and retrieval through to surgery, recovery and long-term follow-up care.

"The milestone is also a testament to their skill, commitment and compassion.

"Their dedication enables patients from across Scotland to access world-class, life-saving care and the opportunity to enjoy more time with their families and loved ones."