The Mater Hospital has launched a national lung transplant website to support patients and their families through the transplant journey.
Lungtransplant.ie, which has been co-designed with patients and carers, brings together expert medical information with lived experience and practical guidance. From real-life patient stories to practical supports and information, the website provides a central hub for those affected by life-limiting lung conditions and those awaiting lung transplant.
The content has been developed to support patients and families through every stage of the transplant journey, from referral and waiting times to life post-transplant. The Mater Hospital transplant team, together with National College of Art and Design, has also created a series of downloadable books for children who have a family member navigating a transplant.
The project was funded by the Mater Hospital Foundation and the and the HSE Spark Innovation Fund, along with funding raised by double lung transplant recipient, Mick Cosgrave, and his family and friends.
Describing the difference this website will make, Mick said: “Before having my transplant, I didn’t fully understand the amount of work a transplant took. I didn’t understand how the waiting list worked and I definitely didn’t know what to expect after the surgery. I had a lot of learning to do. Between all of the new medications, managing follow-up appointments and learning to use new equipment to measure my blood pressure and lung function at home, it could definitely feel overwhelming at times.
“The team [at the Mater] are incredible and were extremely helpful to me during this time of great change, but this website would have been an additional resource that may have made it all a little bit easier for me, and I know that it will be extremely valuable to patients going forward whether they are awaiting surgery or have already had it.”
Dr Michelle Murray, Consultant in Respiratory Medicine at the Mater Hospital, said: “Lung transplantation is a complex and often frightening journey for patients and their families, and every journey is unique. This website is a vital extension of our care, grounding medical advice in real life patient experiences. We are deeply grateful to those who have shared their stories with such courage to support anyone living with serious lung conditions.”
Speaking on the launch of the website, Mary Moorhead, Chief Executive of the Mater Hospital Foundation, said: “This website is so much more than providing information. It’s about hope. It’s about making sure no patient or family feels alone in what can be an overwhelming journey.”
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