Top surgeon in donor call

A TOP consultant has urged Lothians residents to consider joining the organ donor list.

As part of NHS Lothian's Sign Up to Save a Life campaign, he said the small commitment could make a "world of difference" to a sick patient.

An alarmingly low number of people are on the list compared with other countries, which has prompted a debate about a range of solutions, including it being assumed a person will donate organs unless instructed otherwise.

Health chiefs in Edinburgh have also discussed being more up front with people in hospital who would be an adequate organ donor but haven't signed up.

Transplant surgeon John Forsythe, who is based at the ERI, said: "We need more people to join the register because they really can help save lives."