Tribute to Professor Sir Roy Calne

Pioneering surgeon Professor Sir Roy Calne, who undertook the UK's first successful liver transplant operation and worked at the Royal Free London in the late 1950s, has died at the age of 93. 

Gillian Smith, chief medical officer for the Royal Free London, has paid tribute to Sir Roy:

“We are deeply saddened by the death of  Professor Sir Roy Calne, whose pioneering work in transplant surgery has saved countless lives. 

“Sir Roy was an extraordinary doctor who worked with fellow transplant pioneer John Hopewell at the Royal Free Hospital in the late 1950s to develop many of the techniques and drugs used in modern day transplantation.

“Sir Roy went on to perform the UK’s first successful liver transplant at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge in 1968 and his revolutionary work led the way in the development of our own liver transplant service some years later. Today, transplantation continues to be a pivotal part of the trust’s clinical programme and Sir Roy’s work was instrumental in spearheading this.

“Our thoughts are with his family and the many colleagues who worked alongside him.”

Image: Professor Sir Roy Calne, picture courtesy of Cambridge University Hospitals.