Opt-out system introduced in Wales for organ donation
Thu 15 Jul 2010 08:15 • Around the web,campaigns,ethics,health,law
The Welsh Assembly has announced plans to change the law so that people have to opt out of the organ donation system – rather than “opt in” with donor cards.
Campaigners claimed the plans would make more kidneys, lungs and hearts available for lifesaving transplants.
The new laws would still require doctors to consult with the relatives of the bereaved as part of a “soft” opt-out system.
There are no plans to bring the same legislation into England, Scotland or Northern Ireland, although a campaign by the Royal College of Physicians was launched last year calling for a legal requirement for people to specify whether they wanted to donate their organs.
Assembly First Minister Carwyn Jones said: “Many people will wait years for a transplant but, sadly, many people die waiting on the list.
“I hope that by introducing presumed consent, we will not only reduce the waiting list but reduce the number of people who needlessly die waiting.”
He added: “This is a highly emotive subject and, to ensure we maximise the number of people who donate after death, it will be important people discuss their wishes with their family.” The Assembly spent years asking doctors, patients and would-be donors whether they would support a “soft” system of presumed consent before yesterday’s announcement.
