CHANGES to the system for registering as an organ donor in Wales meant that the number of donated organs increased by 42% over the last six months.
The system – known as soft opt out or deemed consent – allows people who want to be an organ donor to either register a decision to opt in or do nothing. For those who choose to do nothing, if they are 18 or over, have lived in Wales for more than 12 months and also die in Wales, they will be regarded as having consented to organ donation.
Figures show that of the 31 deceased people who donated their organs between 1st December 2015 and 31st May 2016, 10 had their consent deemed because they had not registered a decision to either opt in or opt out of becoming an organ donor.
In total, 60 organs were transplanted during this period, 32 of which were from people whose consent had been deemed.
In comparison to the figures for organ donation before the change in the law, these numbers are very encouraging: 23 people donated their organs in the same period in 2014-15 and 21 in the same period in 2013- 2014.
The people of Wales have embraced this ground-breaking legislation, with the latest survey in February 2016 showing that 74% of the Welsh public could describe the changes to the system.
Cabinet Secretary for Health, Well-being and Sport, Vaughan Gething AM, said: “The path to organ donation is a complex one, but consent is the stage at which most donations are lost. I am extremely proud that Wales now leads the way by being the first nation in the UK to move to a soft optout system of consent. I fully expect that the new system will create a step change in consent for organ donation in Wales. The early indications are that this certainly is the case.
“This law was introduced to address the chronic shortage of organs for transplant which we face in Wales. I am sure we have all heard heartbreaking stories about those on organ waiting lists.
“I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to the people of Wales for not only embracing this groundbreaking legislation, but also for taking the time to consider, discuss and register their decision about organ donation.”
Plaid Cymru AM Dai Lloyd , who first proposed the change in legislation in October 2007 , said that the change in the law meant that more lives than ever before had been saved, and that this success should be celebrated.
Mr Lloyd continued: “Wales has led the way in introducing a presumed consent system for organ donation, and as a result more lives than ever before have been saved.
“Research by Harvard University has shown that across the 22 countries that have adopted a presumed consent system, levels of donation have increased by 25-35%. But our success in Wales is even better than this, with a 47% increase in donation.
“This is a huge success, and it gives people who are desperately waiting for a life-saving transplants great hope. The National Assembly for Wales has led the way on this matter and we need to celebrate our success.”
Plaid Cymru Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Health Rhun ap Iorwerth said: “The Organ Donation Bill is an important piece of legislation that was pioneered by Plaid Cymru’s Dai Lloyd.
“As a result many dozens of lives will be saved in Wales, and those awaiting a transplant have been given new hope. The Labour government must continue to raise awareness of the law around organ donation, to ensure that the people of Wales are aware of the impact of the choices they make on this matter.”
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