Royal Papworth Hospital

28/01/2026

Two lives saved, one incredible journey👩‍🍼🫀🫁

Last February, Aimee was struggling to breathe.

She went to her local A&E in Nottingham where she was diagnosed with pneumonia and discovered she was three weeks’ pregnant. A CT scan also revealed lung abnormalities.

Aimee had long been aware of a family history of heart and lung problems, though the exact causes remained unclear. Her father died at the age of 38 from a lung condition believed to be linked to environmental dust exposure from his work as a plasterer and glassblower.

Her sister was born with a congenital heart condition and later underwent a heart and lung transplant but sadly died aged just 21.

Aimee’s midwife raised concerns about her breathing difficulties, and she was referred back to Nottingham Hospital before being transferred to our hospital last June.

Here, our interstitial lung disease (ILD), critical care and transplant teams worked closely with obstetric experts and midwives from Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to try and get Aimee's pregnancy as far along as possible.
However, in early July 2025 at just 24 weeks pregnant, Aimee went into premature labour whilst in our critical care unit.

In an exceptional example of NHS hospital collaboration, her daughter, Jessica, weighing only 1lb 8oz, was safely delivered via emergency C-section in one of our operating theatres packed with staff from Royal Papworth and the Rosie hospitals.

Jessica was immediately transferred to the Rosie's neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) while Jessica went back to our critical care.

But days after Jessica’s birth, Aimee suffered a cardiac arrest, was resuscitated, placed on the most advanced respiratory support (ECMO) and, under the care of our lung transplant and ILD consultants, was added to the urgent transplant list.

Soon afterwards, thanks to the wonderful gift of organ donation, she received a double lung transplant.

Aimee’s initial recovery was tricky.

A turning point came a month later when our critical care nurses arranged for baby Jessica to be brought over from NICU in her incubator. Until then, Aimee had only seen photos of her daughter.

Our critical care team showed the beautiful compassion they do so often: they did Aimee's hair, got her ready, helped her into a chair and supported that first cuddle.

“That moment meant everything,” Aimee says.

With daily physiotherapy and nursing support, Aimee gradually regained her strength. She was taken off ECMO, her tracheostomy was removed, and she relearnt how to eat and walk.

In September 2025, Aimee was discharged from our hospital.

Jessica was transferred to Doncaster to be closer to home and was eventually discharged in December, home in time for their first Christmas together 🫶.

Yesterday, Aimee came for her transplant check up and met some of the many dozens of staff who cared for her 💙.

🎥 Here's how it went...

27/01/2026

27/01/2026

A life-saving double-lung transplant that meant she could meet her daughter 🫁👶

A 37-year old woman from Rotherham has paid tribute to NHS staff after life-saving care not only saved her life, but gave her the chance to meet her daughter.

Aimee returned to Royal Papworth Hospital today to personally thank teams who cared for her during a complex and extraordinary health journey that spanned four NHS trusts and culminated in a double-lung transplant and the premature birth of her daughter at our hospital.

Aimee’s family had a history of heart and lung problems: her father died at the age of 38 from lung disease while her sister was born with a congenital heart condition and later underwent a heart and lung transplant but died aged just 21.

Until early 2025 Aimee was fit, healthy and a professional dancer who led an active lifestyle. She initially attended A&E at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust struggling to breathe, where she was diagnosed with pneumonia. While being treated she discovered she was three weeks’ pregnant and scans also revealed significant lung abnormalities.

Over the following weeks her condition rapidly deteriorated and with her symptoms worsening, Aimee was transferred to Royal Papworth for specialist care.

Her care here involved interstitial lung disease (ILD), critical care, transplant, theatres and multidisciplinary surgical ward teams, working closely with maternity colleagues at The Rosie Hospital, part of Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

“Everyone worked together to give me and my baby the best possible chance,” said Aimee. “I trusted them completely.”

At just 24 weeks and five days’ pregnant, Aimee went into premature labour while in our critical care unit. Her daughter, Jessica, was delivered in one of our operating theatres and immediately transferred to The Rosie Hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

Days later, Aimee suffered a cardiac arrest. She was resuscitated, put onto the most advanced form of respiratory support, called ECMO, and urgently added to the lung transplant list.

Thanks to the gift of organ donation, it wasn’t long before Aimee received a life-saving double-lung transplant.

After a long and extremely challenging recovery, Aimee returned home in September, while Jessica was transferred to the NICU at Doncaster Royal Infirmary to be closer to Aimee.

In December 2025, exactly five months after her early arrival, Jessica was discharged home in time for her first Christmas.

Aimee has spoken of her overwhelming gratitude for NHS staff across maternity, neonatal, respiratory, transplant, ILD, critical care, physiotherapy, nursing teams and others.

“I’ve been given a second chance, “she said. “And Jessica has been given her first.”

Thank you to everyone involved in Aimee's care - testament to the expertise, teamwork and compassion of NHS staff. It's incredible to see Aimee so well and enjoying time with her beautiful daughter. 💙

Discover more about Aimee’s incredible journey:

🔗 https://royalpapworth.nhs.uk/our-hospital/latest-news/two-lives-saved-one-incredible-journey

The Rosie Hospital | Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust | Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | NHS | NHS Organ Donation

24/01/2026

Calling to say 'thank you' 📞

Earlier this week colleagues from Royal Papworth Hospital Charity and Royal Papworth Hospital took time to make around 200 special phone calls as part of the charity's annual 'thank-a-thon'.

Throughout the day they rang supporters of the charity to show appreciation for their donations and fundraising activities, while also explaining what a big difference their money is making.

The incredible support our community and supporters provide makes a real difference to our charity and the support they can provide to our patients, family members and staff.

Feedback received included:
- “Not a day goes by when I don’t think of the wonderful hospital and what it has done for us.”
- “Thank you for the call, lovely start to my week.”
- “My support is a small way of saying thank you for saving my husband.”
- “Thank you for your call. It’s amazing to see the impact of your charity’s efforts in making a difference for patients and hospital staff, truly heart-warming to hear the stories of support and gratitude."

Thank you to everyone who took time to spread a little joy as part of this initiative. 💙

Discover more about supporting our wonderful charity at royalpapworthcharity.com.

23/01/2026

Using the latest technology to treat atrial fibrillation 🫀

A catheter laboratory team recently used a new treatment to help patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), a type of heart rhythm problem.

Royal Papworth is one of the first hospitals in the UK to use the Abbott Volt™ system.

It uses a balloon-based catheter that is guided into each pulmonary vein, which are thought to trigger AF, over a wire. Only two or three bursts of high-energy electrical pulses are needed to treat each vein, which makes the procedure quicker and more predictable.

This treatment can be used with the patient under deep sedation, rather than general anaesthetic.

For patients, avoiding a general anaesthetic usually means a quicker recovery and fewer side effects such as nausea or grogginess. It also allows them to return directly to the ward, rather than spending time in recovery.

This also helps us to potentially treat more patients, bringing down our waiting list.

We were selected as one of the earliest UK centres to adopt this technology, reflecting Royal Papworth Hospital’s experience and track record in evaluating and safely introducing new ablation systems for the benefit of our patients.

Consultant cardiologist Dr Parag Gajendragadkar led the team that performed this first case. He said, "This system adds to our existing portfolio of treatment options for patients with atrial fibrillation. Having access to multiple systems allows us to tailor treatment to the individual rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach.” 💙

📸 Colleagues from our cath lab team, alongside representatives from Abbott. The large green and blue item at the bottom is a (much larger!) replica of the balloon-based catheter.

20/01/2026

Is Royal Papworth calling with your next career opportunity? 📞🏥

Our clinical administration team is recruiting for a number of enthusiastic, motivated people to join Royal Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust as bookings assistants.

Based at our administration hub at Kingfisher House in Huntingdon, these roles are responsible for talking to patients on the phone and booking appointments and admissions, ensuring the patient experience is always positive.

You’ll need attention to detail, patience, accurate data entry and excellent verbal and written communication skills, with a professional and respectful manner.

There are permanent, fixed-term, full-time and part-time positions available. Be quick, however, as the deadline is next Wednesday 28 January.

Choose which role is perfect for you and discover more about the many benefits of working for the NHS at Royal Papworth:
🔗 www.royalpapworth.nhs.uk/working-here/our-vacancies

19/01/2026

We have recently launched Martha’s Rule in our hospital 🏥

Martha’s Rule is a national patient safety initiative which gives patients and families access to an urgent review if they are worried that an inpatient’s health condition is getting worse (deteriorating).

You may have also heard this referred to as Call For Concern.

We regularly check patients' vital signs and other important health measurements while they are in our hospital.

However, you know yourself or your loved one better than anyone. You may notice small changes before our hospital team does.

Some changes that you may notice:

- The patient seems different to usual (not themselves)
- Breathing differently
- Sweating or unusual skin colour
- Reduced urine output or not passing urine
- More sleepy than usual or confused
- Hands feel cold or very hot
- In pain and looks uncomfortable

More information on Martha’s Rule can be found on our website: https://royalpapworth.nhs.uk/marthas-rule

Thank you to all our staff involved in this project across wards, critical care and support teams, led by nurses Nancy, Kerry and Jenny, critical care consultant Dr Jagan Murugachandran and assistant project manager Lucy. 💙

16/01/2026

Saying a huge thank you for saving her brother's life 🫀

Earlier this week we brought you the incredible news that Royal Papworth Hospital Charity had received the largest donation from an individual in its 30-year history.

The gift of more than £450,000 from British-born philanthropist Wendy J. Tomlin-Hess was kindly provided as a thank you to Royal Papworth for saving her brother Terry’s life through a pioneering type of heart transplant in 2015.

Watch this ITV Anglia news report to hear from:
- Wendy J Tomlin-Hess on her donation
- Krystyna Grant, Managing Director of Royal Papworth Hospital Charity on the impact this donation could have
- Dr Nicole Asemota, Cardiothoracic Surgery Registrar, on how this will help accelerate research and innovation in heart transplantation
- And see a short history of our hospital

Thank you again, Wendy for your extremely generous donation which will help us to continue leading innovation in transplantation, which could see more patients receiving the gift of life. 🩵

14/01/2026

A record donation that will accelerate research and innovation in heart transplants 🫀

Our wonderful Royal Papworth Hospital Charity has received its largest donation from an individual in its 30-year history.

The gift of £453,611 has been donated by British-born philanthropist Wendy J. Tomlin-Hess.

Wendy’s donation is a thank you to Royal Papworth for saving her brother Terry’s life through a pioneering type of heart transplant in 2015.

Terry, from Melton Mowbray in Leicestershire, was among the first in Europe to receive a heart transplant using a non-beating heart, known as donation after circulatory death (DCD).

We became the first hospital in Europe to perform a heart transplant using this method, which now represents 25% of all adult heart transplants in the UK. Our teams have now performed the highest number of DCD heart transplants in the UK and one of the highest in the world.

Wendy said: “We are extremely grateful to Terry's heart donor and their family, who gave him a gift we could never repay – the gift of life. I am now very happy to be in a position where I can truly thank Royal Papworth with a donation that will help to save many, many more lives.”

Wendy’s donation will help support pioneering and world-class research in heart transplantation right here at Royal Papworth as we continue our strategical aim to bring tomorrow's treatments to today's patients.

Thank you, Wendy, from us all here at Royal Papworth for your generous donation, which has the potential to help transform lives across the globe. 🩵

🔗 https://royalpapworth.nhs.uk/our-hospital/latest-news/royal-papworth-charity-receives-its-largest-individual-donation

12/01/2026

Taking on one of the toughest endurance races in the world 😮

Phil is midway through a gruelling 268-mile endurance challenge, raising money for Royal Papworth Hospital Charity.

He’s taking on the Montane Spine race, an ultramarathon across the rugged, mountainous Pennine Way, which tests participants’ physical and mental resilience in the most challenging of wintry conditions.

For Phil it’s a thank you for the care his wife Sarah received when she received a double-lung transplant at our hospital last year.

Phil said: “The care, expertise, and compassion shown by the entire team were nothing short of extraordinary. Thanks to them, Sarah has been given a second chance at life, and our family has hope for the future.

“Please join me in supporting this incredible cause. Your generosity will make a real difference for patients and families facing life-threatening illnesses. Help me give back to the place that gave us hope.”

Money raised by Phil will be going towards our charity’s Brighter Spaces, Brighter Futures campaign.

Good luck Phil – everyone at Royal Papworth is right behind you! 💪

🔗 https://www.justgiving.com/page/phil-spine-race

09/01/2026

Research to prevent repeat heart attacks 🫀🧪

A treatment that targets the immune system could help stop repeat heart attacks in people who have recently had one, according to the results of an early-stage clinical trial run here in Cambridge.

Two years after joining the trial, none of the participants that received treatment had further heart attacks.

Sixty patients who had recently had heart attacks took part in the IVORY trial. Of these patients, 55 then participated in up to five years of follow-up health monitoring, known as IVORY-FINALE.

This includes Mark (pictured), from Fulbourn in Cambridgeshire, who had a heart attack in August 2022 while cycling home from the gym.

After initial tests at Addenbrooke's, he quickly received treatment here at Royal Papworth to have a stent fitted that opened a narrowed artery and restored blood flow to his heart. He has had no further heart attacks or symptoms since.

Mark said, “I was keen to join the trial. It wasn’t just the possibility that the treatment could stop me from having another heart attack. It was knowing the team would be closely monitoring my health, so they would probably spot it early if anything started to go wrong."

In the trial, low-dose treatment with a drug called aldesleukin helped patients to avoid further heart attacks by reducing inflammation in major blood vessels, while also reducing other signs of heart attack risk.

This trial is a superb example of collaboration between researchers at Royal Papworth, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, the University of Cambridge and others, as we look to bring tomorrow's treatments to today's patients. 💙

🔗 https://royalpapworth.nhs.uk/our-hospital/latest-news/targeting-immune-system-to-prevent-future-heart-attacks

07/01/2026

Please stay safe in this cold weather 🥶❄️

An amber cold health alert is currently in place across the country, including the East of England, until midday on Sunday 11 January 2026.

This means there is an increased risk to health for individuals aged 65 years and over, or those with pre-existing health conditions, including respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.

It is therefore important to check on friends, family and neighbours who are more vulnerable and to take sensible precautions during these wintry conditions.

We'll continue to keep our patients safe and comfortable here at the hospital. Meanwhile here are some things you can do to help:

- Please allow yourself extra travel time when visiting our hospital, or elsewhere on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus.
- Make sure you're wrapped up warm and wear sensible footwear for the conditions. Icy pavements and roads can be very slippery.
- Check on older family members, friends, or neighbours and those with heart or lung conditions.

🔗 Further NHS advice on staying well this winter can be found at https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/seasonal-health/keep-warm-keep-well/

ℹ️ Make sure you're also following Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Integrated Care System for top tips on wintry subjects like how to stay warm; trips and falls; and general advice if you or a loved one are feeling unwell during the cold weather.

UK Health Security Agency | Met Office | NHS England