Establishment
The National Renal Transplant Service (NRTS) was established as a national service in September 2014, following endorsement from the National Health Board and the Minister of Health.
Role
The NRTS provides clinical leadership, strategic oversight, direction and support for implementation of initiatives to improve access to renal transplants.
Transplants have been shown to improve the quality of life and survival of people with end stage renal disease.
The NRTS is responsible for a work programme to increase the number of live donor renal transplants.
Representation
The Clinical Director of the NRTS, Dr Nick Cross, leads a National Leadership Transplant Leadership Team (NRTLT), comprising clinical and managerial leaders from Te Whatu ora providing transplanting and renal services, and representatives from the New Zealand Blood Service, Organ Donation NZ, consumers and the Ministry of Health.