Kidney transplant waiting list grows and operations fall – our response to latest NHS transplant figures
New NHS figures out today reveal that the UK organ transplant waiting list has hit a new high, and that the number of people waiting for a kidney transplant continues to go up. But, at the same time, the number of kidney transplant operations taking place is going down.
We’re calling for the UK Government to take urgent action to safeguard NHS kidney services in the face of rising pressures and do more to boost transplant activity.
The latest figures from NHS Blood and Transplant’s annual transplant activity report (covering April 2025-April 2026) shows that there are now 7,203 people – including 138 children – waiting for a life-changing kidney transplant. That’s 264 more than in 2024/25.
The report found that 328 people died last year while on the waiting list for a new kidney, and the average amount of time people wait before they have a kidney transplant has now gone up by more than a month – from 503 days to 547 days.
Meanwhile, the number of kidney transplants continues to fall – with 27 fewer transplants last year than in 2024/25 (from 3,305 transplants to 3,278).
Kidney patients deserve better
Today’s sobering numbers put our previous warnings about the precarious outlook for patients and NHS kidney services into sharp relief. Our 2023 report Kidney disease: A UK public health emergency projected that the kidney transplant waiting list could hit 12,000 by 2033, while NHS dialysis services – the vital lifeline for patients with kidney failure waiting for a transplant – could need a fourfold increase in capacity to keep up with patient need.
We’re calling on Andy Burnham’s new government to take more steps to prevent people needing dialysis or transplants, future-proof NHS kidney services and improve transplant activity. In particular, driving more pre-emptive transplants – which take place before a patient reaches the point of needing gruelling, routine dialysis and are more cost-effective for the NHS.
“More than 7,000 people faced long and anxious waits for a life-changing kidney transplant last year, while the number of kidney transplants went down,” said Alison Railton, director of policy and public affairs at Kidney Research UK.
“Kidney patients deserve better.”
While Kidney Research UK is driving cutting-edge science to improve transplant outcomes and make donated organs last longer, years of underfunding mean NHS kidney services are struggling under demand that’s only increasing.
“The Government needs to step up too,” Alison said.
“Kidney Research UK has shown that pre-emptive transplants are part of the solution to cutting long waits and saving the NHS money. The Government urgently needs to expand pre-emptive transplant capacity and roll out innovative tech to make more kidneys suitable for transplant, as well as delivering on early diagnosis and intervention promises so that people avoid the organ waiting list in the first place.”
Waiting for the life-changing transplant call
Adam Musa, 39, from Leicester, spent more than six years on the waiting list when he needed a second kidney transplant. He spent 12 hours a week in hospital undergoing dialysis treatment to keep him alive, before finally receiving a new kidney in 2024.
His life went on hold while he was on the waiting list and the demands of dialysis meant he had to stop work, but he says, “when the transplant finally happened, it changed my life – I’ve got so much time back, my physical and mental health is better and I’m able to live a much more fulfilling life with my young family.”
Reacting to the latest NHS transplant figures, he added: “It’s devastating to know that more and more people are hanging on for their life-changing transplant and waiting times are going up. Coming from a minority ethnic background means that wait can be even longer.
“Every extra day someone spends waiting and on dialysis is a challenge, and long waits can make other health issues more likely, putting even more strain on the NHS. The Government needs to take these numbers seriously and act now to cut transplant waits and ensure research benefits patients.”
The positive trend in living kidney donation continues
Meanwhile, a hopeful upwards trend in living organ donation continues. Nearly 1,000 kidney transplants (984) were made possible last year because of living donors – up 2% on 2024/25 – and 58 operations were thanks to people who donated to a stranger.
Kidney Research UK works alongside the charity Give A Kidney via the Robert Dangoor Partnership for Living Kidney Donation. This partnership runs a targeted programme which encourages more people to consider becoming a living kidney donor, and it provides information, guidance and one-to-one support throughout the donation journey.
Alison added: “It’s hugely encouraging to see more people coming forward as living kidney donors and it's crucial that we maintain this momentum so more patients can benefit from pre-emptive transplants. Through the Robert Dangoor Partnership, Kidney Research UK is helping to raise awareness of living donation and remove the barriers to participation.”
How you can help us campaign for action
We’re calling on the Government to take action on kidney disease on the back of the latest NHS figures, and we’ve also set a serious test for the new Prime Minister Andy Burnham.
We’ve set three key tests for Andy Burnham in his first three months as Prime Minister and are asking that in his new government’s first 100 days it will
- deliver on commitments to diagnose kidney disease earlier in people at risk, such as those living with cardiovascular disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity
- work with us to act on rare, hereditary and paediatric kidney disease
- set out a path for a national strategy (for England) to tackle kidney disease.
Find out more about our 100 Days Kidney Test for the government and add your name to our petition calling for kidney disease to be a national priority.