Shortage of heart valve donations affecting care for children and adults

The NHS is appealing for donations after a drop in heart valve donation which is affecting care for adults and children.

The NHS could not supply around 20% of heart valve requests from hospitals last year. These requests came to the NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) national heart valve bank in Liverpool, and its partner NHS valve banks at Birmingham Children’s Hospital and Royal Brompton Hospital.

The three NHS heart valve banks work together on a national fulfilment system. The shortage is continuing this year.

About heart valve replacements

Heart valve replacements are a lifesaving or life changing treatment for people whose own heart valves are damaged, diseased or defective.

They can be needed by adults whose heart valves begin to narrow or leak or they can be needed by children and adults with genetic heart disorders. More than half the heart valves issued by the NHS were sent to children’s hospitals.

Every year, thousands of children are born with congenital heart disease, the most common birth defect worldwide.

Congenital heart disease affects approximately 1 in 100 live births. Many of these young patients require life-saving surgery throughout adulthood. In some cases, their best chance for survival and long-term health comes from donated human heart valves and conduits.

There has been a drop in heart valve donations over recent years. In 2021, around 600 hearts were donated to the three heart valve banks. In 2024, only 368 were donated. NHSBT, one of the three banks, targets nine donations a week but last year received only four a week.

Poppy's story

Poppy Wilson, 21, from Stockport, had a heart valve replacement in June 2025, at Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital.

She had aortic stenosis and regurgitation, a form of congenital heart disease. Her aortic heart valve was leaking and narrow.

"It was a gradual deterioration. I was increasingly symptomatic and it became difficult to climb stairs," said Poppy.

"Without surgery, I would have gone into heart failure or suffered a cardiac arrest. I was fortunate that I didn’t have to wait for the operation.

"Open heart surgery was a daunting and emotional experience. But my surgeon and the medical team was phenomenal.

"Now I can certainly notice a huge difference. I went for lunch with my mum where we had to walk up a steep hill. I began to cry because I could not believe I did not feel chest pain, palpitations or breathlessness. I’d never felt like that before.

"A month after the operation I got to meet my beautiful baby nephew. I would not have been able to do that without the heart valve.

"I get so emotional thinking about the donor and the donor family. I can’t put into words how grateful I am. It’s overwhelming. I would encourage people to donate because my donor absolutely changed my life."

Poppy has just graduated from Manchester Metropolitan University after studying history. She does ballroom and Latin dancing.

"Now I want to be able to dance at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool next year. That’s the goal," she said.

Jerry's story

Jerry Peachey from Bridgend in Wales needed a heart valve to replace one that was critically narrowed and potentially infected.

The 34-year-old was going to the gym and working in a physically demanding job as a manager in a busy warehouse.

But as his condition got worse, he started to struggle to even pick up his children’s toys from the floor.

"I would often feel faint and out of breath," said the dad of two. "I couldn’t play with the kids or take them out."

Jerry’s heart valve was supplied by NHSBT and replaced during around nine hours of open heart surgery at University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust in July 2025.

It was the fourth valve procedure he’s needed since birth, due to a heart condition called Tetralogy of Fallot. If left untreated, Tetralogy of Fallot causes eventual heart failure.

The new heart valve means that blood can now flow more easily to his lungs and reduce the strain on his heart.

"It has made a massive difference," said Jerry. "I’m already showing positive signs of recovery. I look forward to picking up my newborn and my three-year old-again.

"If I could speak to the donor’s family, I would like for them to know how this has made such a difference to me and my family. Without the transplant, I would have gone downhill quickly. I’d like to thank the family of the donor for making this possible."

John's story

John Deakin from Woolfold in Bury said he will ‘never forget’ the heart valve donor that helped him survive urgent surgery.

John, aged 54, a married railway maintenance engineer, was diagnosed with endocarditis, a heart infection, in March 2025.

Days later, on April 1, he had major surgery at Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital.

He received a pacemaker, his tricuspid valve was replaced with a pig valve, and his aortic valve was replaced with a human valve.

"I’d been feeling really poorly – the shakes, hot and cold – and it felt familiar,” said John, a motorbike enthusiast. "I was born with a hole in my heart and I’d had endocarditis twice before.

"This time they did a CT scan and told me there was no time to wait. They had to get me into theatre. The infection had destroyed the aortic valve. It was quite a big shock to be told that.

"I am doing very well now. They are very pleased. My heart is still healing because it’s had a major trauma."

He added: "The aortic heart valve has saved my life. I am hugely, hugely grateful to the donor. I will never, ever forget them.

"I feel very lucky. I wouldn’t be here without the donor and their family. I would be dead. I am still alive and I can now look forwards to enjoying life and getting out there again."

Statements

Statement from Jackie Brander

Jackie Brander, Head of Operations for Tissue Donation at NHS Blood and Transplant, said:

"Heart valves can be especially important for babies born with genetic heart defects. But the reality is we are just not getting enough donations to meet demand.

"We think there are several reasons why heart valve donation has decreased. Organ and tissue donation as a whole has fallen – last year, for example there were 100 fewer organ donors.

"Also, since the pandemic, more people are dying at home or in the community, where heart valve donation is not possible.

"We’re investigating whether there might be other reasons. But what we really need is for more people to support donation – you will change and save lives."

Statement from Sunil Bhudia

Sunil Bhudia, consultant cardiac surgeon at Harefield Hospital and clinical lead for the heart valve bank at Royal Brompton Hospital in London, said:

"Anyone facing the prospect of having their heart valve replaced knows how important it is for people to consider donation, including their heart valves, after their death.

"Our heart valve bank is an extremely important service for people in this very difficult situation and I would encourage everyone to think about the difference you could make to another person’s life through donation."

Statement from Juliet Pocock

Juliet Pocock, a Homograft Technician from the Heart Valve Bank at Birmingham Children’s Hospital, said:

"From one heart valve donation we can procure up to six pulmonary homograft patches which can go on to help save the lives of as many babies born with certain congenital heart defects.

"Raising awareness around this issue is crucial so that we can increase donations, therefore saving more lives."

How you can help

You can find out more about organ donation and confirm your decision through our website. You can also confirm your support for organ donation by calling 0300 123 23 23 or using the NHS app.