The first few hours after the transplant are a critical time as the artery and veins is at risk of thrombosis and blocking. This can be checked by ultrasound scanning. However, between 5pm and 8am the ultrasound service depend on the on-call radiologist and that can often take several hours, especially if they are busy. By this time the kidney may die if compromised.

We feel it is vital that the surgeons have access to this equipment at all times and would like to purchase an ultrasound machine at the cost of £30,000. The scanner would be kept in the Churchill theatres, so that it is available immediately that a problem occurs by a trained transplant or urological surgeon.