EVERY patient who is waiting for a kidney transplant in Scotland is to be sent a letter encouraging them to ask family and friends if would consider being a donor.

More than 400 people are currently waiting for transplant and face an uncertain wait for a kidney from a deceased donor.

In the latest strategy to help drive down the waiting list, the Scottish Government is to contact every patient, highlighting the living donor process.

Over the last ten years, more than 500 people in Scotland have become living kidney donors, with figures highlighting 86 people donated last year.

The Scottish Government is in discussions about a possible shift to an opt-out transplant system, where everyone is automatically added to the organ donor register unless they have registered an objection.

Ministers are currently considering the responses to a national consultation and has said the 'next steps' will outlined shortly.

The Evening Times has led a five-year campaign calling for the change, which has led to an increase in transplants in Wales after being introduced over a year ago.

Jen Lumsdaine, Living Donor Transplant Co-ordinator, said: “Increasing awareness of living donation is key to raising transplant donation rates in Scotland, which is why we’ve developed this information guide specifically for patients approaching end stage renal failure and those on the transplant waiting list.

“A successful transplant from a living kidney donor can be the best possible treatment for someone with kidney failure, especially if it is scheduled before the recipient needs to start dialysis.

“We’ve involved the specialists behind the process in explaining what it means for both patients and donors to help guide and reassure. 

"Whilst we acknowledge everyone’s circumstances and viewpoints are different, we want to ensure that every patient in Scotland dealing with the realities of renal failure is aware of the available treatment options.”

John Macrae's brother donated his kidney to him in 2002, before it failed 12 years later. His friends and family again offered to donate to him, however those willing weren’t a match. 

He entered the paired donation scheme, which can result in a donor and recipient who are not a match being paired with others in the same situation.

However, in March 2017, John received the call that a kidney from a deceased donor has been identified and the transplant successfully went ahead. 

John, 51, who is from the Isle of Skye said: “I think it’s important that people are made aware of every option available to them and that exploring living donation can be done in parallel with being on the transplant waiting list. 

"Having experienced organ donation from both sides, I wholeheartedly support anything that helps work towards the best outcomes for those living with end-stage kidney failure.”

To find out more about the living kidney donation process, visit livingdonationscotland.org