WAITING for a kidney transplant is a "lottery" under the current transplant system, says a leading doctor.

Professor David Wheeler, president of the Renal Association, says the current opt-in system, where you must register to be a donor, is flawed because it does not force people to make a decision about organ donation.

He also says England faces being "left behind" because Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are all moving towards an opt-out system of organ donation, where the default position is that everyone is considered a donor.

Professor Wheeler made his comments when speaking at a conference in Glasgow to mark UK Kidney Week, which brings together more than 1000 delegates, including researchers, surgeons, doctors and nurses.

The Evening Times' petition for an opt-out system in Scotland will be debated by MPS today at the Scottish Parliament.

Glasgow MSP Anne McTaggart is also preparing to launch a Member's Bill calling for the change, if the Government does not act.

Professor Wheeler said: "Where I work in London if a patient has a live donor lined up, we can transplant before they start dialysis treatment. That is optimal health care.

"Those who do not have a live donor will end up waiting for an organ from the national pool from a deceased donor - it is a bit like the Lottery.

"However, we do have a waiting list that priorities patients who have been waiting longer.

"I think the key thing with an opt-out system is that everyone makes a decision. The current system does not encourage people to make a decision.

"Everyone has to think about it."

caroline.wilson@ eveningtimes.co.uk