The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence has begun a consultation on draft guidance recommending four specialist liver preservation machines for routine NHS use, in a move that could help more patients waiting for a life-saving transplant.
According to NICE, the technology keeps donated livers functioning outside the human body and could address uneven access to advanced transplant care across England. The draft guidance says the machines may help more of the 600 people currently on the active waiting list for a liver transplant.
Why the guidance matters
NICE said most transplant centres already use these machines, but funding has often come from local charities and access has varied from one area to another. The new draft guidance aims to give the NHS a clearer and more consistent basis for using the devices across the country.
The organisation said reducing health inequalities remains central to its work. In this case, the consultation is intended to support fairer access to transplant technology that could improve outcomes for patients who might otherwise wait too long for an organ.
What happens next
The consultation is now open, and NICE is inviting comments from patients, families, clinicians, commissioners, charities and the public. The consultation closes on 10 June 2026, with a second committee meeting planned for 25 June 2026. Final guidance is expected in August 2026.
The development follows a broader run of recent NICE announcements focused on faster access to treatment and care, but this latest proposal is specifically aimed at improving transplant preservation technology and helping more donor livers remain viable for use.
