Best backlash; Boozy star blamed for deaths as transplant donor numbers slump EXCLUSIVE.

Byline: By LYNN McPHERSON

SCOTS waiting for transplants are dying because more families are refusing to donate loved ones' organs.

And a medical charity is blaming boozy football legend George Best.

The accusation came after a survey found 39 per cent of families refused to allow relatives' organs to be used for transplants up seven per cent in a year. With more than 500 Scots waiting for transplants, the trend could cost lives.

Best went back on the booze after getting a new liver in July 2002.

Collette Thain, 47, founder of Edinburgh-based PBC Foundation, said last night: 'There is an assumption that all people with liver disease are ill because of alcohol abuse.

'This is fuelled by the behaviour of George Best.

'Families are refusing to allow their loved ones' organs to be used for fear they may be 'wasted'.

'Two hospitals have told me recently they blame George Best for the slump in organ donation. PBC primary biliary cirrhosis is not related to drug or alcohol abuse and it has no cure.'

Collette was diagnosed with PBC 10 years ago. It is similar to the disease suffered by Scots tennis star Elena Baltacha and sometimes a transplant is the only hope.

Dr Alastair MacGilchrist, from Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, said: 'It's very important the public have confidence when donating organs that they are going to someone who's likely to do well.

'George Best is very much the exception to the rule. Only a small number of our patients have alcohol-related damage. We have to work out which ones are likely to be cured of their alcoholism.

'The team who assessed George Best got it wrong. But we get it right most of the time.'

There are 509 Scots waiting for transplants, including 420 waitng for kidneys and 24 for a liver.

Consent for organ donation has fallen from 49 per cent to 30 per cent in 10 years. Dr Colin Bayne's life was saved when his mum Helen donated a kidney in 2001.

Colin, 34, of Burntisland, Fife, said: 'Most transplant patients need the consent of relatives after a loved one has died. I know it is very difficult... but they could save the lives of so many other people.'

Colin once needed dialysis to live. Now he has entered the final of Scotland's Strongest Man.

Lib-Dem MSP John Farquhar Munro wants an 'opt out' scheme, making all adults potential donors unless they register not to be.

Last week, a campaign was launched in Scotland to encourage people to carry an organ donation card, put their name on the NHS Organ Donor Register and tell their relatives their wishes. Less than a quarter of Scots have cards.

For information on organ donation, contact UK Transplant on 0845 6060400.

CAPTION(S):

Lashing a legend: Liver charity founder Collette Thain, far left, says George Best's boozing has cost lives; Life saver: Dr Colin Bayne hugs his mum Helen, who gave him one of her kidneys