A ROLE-PLAY course to help doctors and nurses break bad news to bereaved relatives and broach the subject of organ donation is helping increase the number of transplants in the region.

The scheme is run by the UK European Donor Hospital Education Programme Trust, a charitable organisation, which has already helped 1,200 medical staff gain confidence on this sensitive subject through lectures and role play.

The one-day course is co-ordinated by Manchester Royal Infirmary and most of those trained are from the north west.

Administrator Maureen Wain said the course was run by clinical psychologists.

She added: ''The people who have been on the course say it has increased their confidence in breaking bad news to relatives and making an approach about organ donation.

''We have very experienced professional actors who play the part of the bereaved relatives.

''The trainees approach the actors and the rest of the group observe and give feedback.

''People say that even though they know they are facing actors, it feels just like the real thing because they are so experienced and convincing.''