Hand transplant: Southampton student’s life-changing operation

Following intensive physiotherapy, she is back to doing most things with her right hand, including cooking, doing her make-up, drawing and looking after her pet gecko.

“It’s been amazing, I don’t think I quite anticipated how good it would be – it does just feel like it’s mine.”

Ms Heritage, who is studying to be a GP, said she had been inspired by the team at Leeds General Infirmary.

“They’re exactly the kind of doctors that I’d want to be – they’re just so caring and they really care about you as a whole person, not just a patient.”

She volunteers with charity Meningitis Now to boost vaccine awareness among students and is also working to inform more people about hand transplants.

Currently, the option to donate hands does not feature on the Organ Donation Register, unlike organs such as hearts and kidneys.

Only one person has had the same operation since Ms Heritage had her transplant.

Professor Kay explained that specialist donation nurses discuss limb donation with families but few agree, resulting in waits of up to six years for patients.

“It’s such a shame, if families could meet patients like Becca they would understand what an enormous gift donation is.”

Leeds Teaching Hospital has advised people to discuss their preferences about organ and limb donation with their families, external, who can then confidently relay these wishes to doctors.