Wales has become the first UK nation to introduce a soft opt-out system of organ donation. Unless a person states a wish not to be a donor (opts out), their consent to donation will now be deemed to have been given.
Commenting on the introduction of The Human Transplantation (Wales) Bill, Health Minister Mark Drakeford said: “This is a huge day for Wales, for devolution and, most importantly, for the 226 people in Wales waiting for an organ transplant. “Family refusal is a major factor that affects the numbers of organ donations and the main reason for refusal is lack of knowledge of their loved one’s wishes. The family of the potential donor has a major role to play in organ donation. The aim of the Bill has always been to respect the wishes of the deceased. However, relatives or friends of long standing may object to consent being deemed based on what they know about the views of the deceased. “When family members know that organ donation is what the deceased wanted they usually agree to participate in the donation process. The new law will work by clarifying people’s wishes around the issue of organ donation and, in turn, increase the rate of consent to donation.” BMA Scotland and BMA Northern Ireland have welcomed the decision. BMA Scottish council member Sue Robertson, a Dumfries associate specialist in renal medicine, said: “This is great news and I hope this decision by politicians in Wales gives Members of the Scottish Parliament the confidence to consider a similar change.” BMA Northern Ireland council chair, Paul Darragh, described the move in Wales as a “momentous step forward, which will bring hope to those with a life-threatening condition that will only be solved by the receiving of an organ transplant.”
