Consultation on the Welsh Government’s plan to bring in soft opt-out laws for organ donors is coming to an end next month
The Welsh Government is asking members of the public and health professionals to make their views known on the proposed soft opt-out legislation before the closing date of Monday September 10, 2012.
Under a soft opt-out system, unless a person registers either a wish to be a donor (opt-in) or not to be a donor (opt-out), their consent to donation will be deemed to have been given. However, a person’s family will still have a key role to play in discussions about organ donation. It is anticipated the new system will come into effect in 2015.
Last year 67 people donated their organs in Wales and the Welsh Government wants to save more lives by increasing this number. Each donor provides on average three organs.
The proposed legislation will be accompanied by an extensive public information campaign so people understand the law and know how to make their wishes known through a single organ and tissue donation register for Wales.
As part of the proposed new legislation, if anyone has not made their wishes expressly known via the register they will be deemed to have consented to their organs and tissues being available for transplant.
Anybody wishing to submit a response to the consultation should do so before September 10 2012 at http://wales.gov.uk/consultations/healthsocialcare/organbill