Mater Hospital launches innovative national lung transplant website

The Mater Hospital has launched a dedicated website LungTransplant.ie which aims to support patients and their families through their transplant journey.

Co-designed with patients and their care partners, the website 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 or living with a lung transplant.

Content has been carefully developed to support each patient and their family through every stage of the transplant journey, from referral and waiting through to recovery and life post-transplant. Highlights of the website include: Patient testimonials, Practical guidance about everything from what medical tests to expect to end-of-life planning, Books for children who have a family member navigating a transplant, Imagery and videos detailing post-surgery, and more.

The project was funded by the Mater Hospital Foundation, double lung transplant recipient Mick (Michael) Cosgrave and his family and friends, and the HSE Spark Innovation Fund.

Describing the difference this website will make, Mick shared, “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.”

He continued, “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.”

Dr Michelle Murray, Consultant in Respiratory Medicine at the Mater adds, “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. I hope more people are inspired to consider the gift of organ donation. There is no doubt that organ donation transforms loss into hope and provides a second chance to those who need it most.”

The launch comes at a pivotal time for organ donation in Ireland, following the introduction of a new national framework aimed at increasing donor numbers and improving transplant outcomes.

Despite progress, many patients remain on waiting lists, underscoring the ongoing need for greater awareness of organ donation and the life-changing impact it can have.

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