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Organ donation: Presumed consent to start in December 2015 | Organ donation: Presumed consent to start in December 2015 |
(about 2 hours later) | |
People in Wales will be presumed to have agreed for their organs to be donated after death from December 2015. | People in Wales will be presumed to have agreed for their organs to be donated after death from December 2015. |
Wales will be the first UK nation to introduce a system where consent is assumed unless people have opted out. | Wales will be the first UK nation to introduce a system where consent is assumed unless people have opted out. |
The legislation, described by ministers as the "most significant" the Welsh assembly had passed, received royal assent on Tuesday. | The legislation, described by ministers as the "most significant" the Welsh assembly had passed, received royal assent on Tuesday. |
Currently, people across the UK join a voluntary scheme and carry a card if they wish to donate organs. | Currently, people across the UK join a voluntary scheme and carry a card if they wish to donate organs. |
A two-year information campaign is planned in Wales, to ensure everyone is aware of the changes. | A two-year information campaign is planned in Wales, to ensure everyone is aware of the changes. |
'Many die waiting' | 'Many die waiting' |
First Minister Carwyn Jones said: "The Human Transplantation (Wales) Act 2013 is arguably the most significant piece of legislation passed by the National Assembly for Wales since it acquired full lawmaking powers in 2011. | First Minister Carwyn Jones said: "The Human Transplantation (Wales) Act 2013 is arguably the most significant piece of legislation passed by the National Assembly for Wales since it acquired full lawmaking powers in 2011. |
"Many people will wait years for a transplant but sadly, many die waiting on the list. | "Many people will wait years for a transplant but sadly, many die waiting on the list. |
"The shortage of human organs continues to cause otherwise preventable deaths and suffering. | "The shortage of human organs continues to cause otherwise preventable deaths and suffering. |
"This law will not only help reduce the waiting list, but will also help save lives by reducing the number of people who needlessly die waiting for an organ transplant." | "This law will not only help reduce the waiting list, but will also help save lives by reducing the number of people who needlessly die waiting for an organ transplant." |
The Welsh government hopes to raise transplant rates by 25%. | The Welsh government hopes to raise transplant rates by 25%. |
As happens now, organs could go to recipients anywhere in the UK, not just in Wales. | As happens now, organs could go to recipients anywhere in the UK, not just in Wales. |
'Conversation' | 'Conversation' |
Health Minister Mark Drakeford said there would be a public information campaign before the new system comes into force on 1 December, 2015. | Health Minister Mark Drakeford said there would be a public information campaign before the new system comes into force on 1 December, 2015. |
"During this two year campaign, people will be given plenty of information on how the new system works and what their choices are," he said. | "During this two year campaign, people will be given plenty of information on how the new system works and what their choices are," he said. |
"Even today, though, people can help others by ensuring their loved ones know their wishes about organ donation and I would encourage everyone to have that conversation." | "Even today, though, people can help others by ensuring their loved ones know their wishes about organ donation and I would encourage everyone to have that conversation." |
According to the NHS Blood and Transplant service, there are about 250 people on a waiting list for a transplant at any one time, and 33 people in Wales died in 2012/13 while on the list. | According to the NHS Blood and Transplant service, there are about 250 people on a waiting list for a transplant at any one time, and 33 people in Wales died in 2012/13 while on the list. |
Kidney Wales Foundation chief executive Roy Thomas said it had been a "long journey" to create a "very good law". | |
"It received proper consultation and first class scrutiny all the way through," he said. | |
"It gives hope to all those waiting for a transplant, not only those on the list but those who fear chronic organ failure and who may need a transplant." | |
Evidence from other countries with an opt-out system indicates that the rise in organ donors is small with about 15 additional donors provided each year and approximately 45 extra organs. | Evidence from other countries with an opt-out system indicates that the rise in organ donors is small with about 15 additional donors provided each year and approximately 45 extra organs. |
There has been opposition to the scheme but ministers have insisted it will be implemented sensitively. | There has been opposition to the scheme but ministers have insisted it will be implemented sensitively. |
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