Bid to boost organ donor numbers

NHS Lothian is now one of the best-performing health authorities in the UK at recruiting organ donors, but still lags behind several continental countries, bosses have said.

It is on target to reach 50 per cent of the population signed up to the register, with around 44 per cent currently enlisted.

Now the health board wants to target minority groups for organ donation to increase the chances of transplantation in patients from the same background.

Dr Richard Williams, chairman of NHS Lothian’s local medical committee, said: “There’s been a marked increase in the percentage of the local population on the register. We have a target of 50 per cent and hope the next time figures come out it will show we are getting close to that.”

Among the tactics discussed to boost participation is being more upfront with relatives of dead or dying patients.