Leeds General Infirmary in Northern England was Friday named as Britain's national specialist center for hand transplantation surgery.

The hospital carried out Britain's first full hand transplant operation in 2012, with a number of patients already waiting for new hands when donors become available.

The decision by NHS England to select Leeds was welcomed by surgeon Prof Simon Kay who performed the first breakthrough operation.

He said: "We are delighted to be confirmed as the provider of this new service. The team at Leeds is keen to now assess new patient referrals and benefit patients and their families in a way they may never have thought possible before."

The first Briton to receive a new hand, Mark Cahill, said his transplanted limb was still working well and has transformed his life.

With his new right hand, Cahill, who is in his early 50s, is able to fasten his shoelaces, carry his granddaughter, prepare food such as chopping vegetables, and drive a car.

NHS England expect around four patients a year from anywhere in the country to be given transplanted hands at Leeds.

Kay told local media that NHS England have recognised limb transplantation as visionary technology for the future, not just in hands but other types of transplantation.

He said: "It's completely life-changing. If you've lost one hand, it is bad, if you have lost both, life in the modern era is very difficult."

Jonathan Fielden, NHS England's director of specialised commissioning, said: "The NHS is leading the world in offering this cutting-edge procedure, which has been shown to significantly improve the quality of life for patients who meet the strict criteria."

Government life sciences minister, George Freeman, said: "This is really exciting -- a truly 21st century procedure which has the potential to transform lives of NHS patients. And it once again confirms the UK's position as a world leader in bringing the latest advances in medical technology to patients."

On average each procedure takes up to 12 hours in an operating theater, and costs around 72,000 U.S. dollars, but patients do not pay anything under Britain's NHS.

Transplanted hands are able to sense surroundings and heal themselves when hurt. Patients are also be able to move their new hand with dexterity and it also feels warm to the touch.

One of the patients on the waiting list is a British woman who needs both hands replaced after a blood infection caused her to lose both limbs.