The Welsh Government has welcomed the response to a public consultation on organ donation reform, although there is still confusion about the plans.
More than 1,000 responded to the Welsh Government’s plan of presuming consent for organ donation.
Over 50% backed the plans, but a significant proportion also asked that consent be declined if relatives objected – the so-called veto option.
The Welsh Government released details of the responses to its public consultation on organ donation on Thursday.
It showed that of the 1,124 responses, 52% were in favour of the new legislation and 39% against.
The confusion seems to have come from the wording of a standard letter circulated by Opt for Life, with 485 using the letter.
While the letter supports the new law, it also states that presumed consent should not be accepted if “immediate relatives object”.
The consultation took place between November 7 2011 and January 31 2012. Although it did not explicitly invite respondents to state support or objection to the proposals, 91% of those who responded gave a view. 52% of all respondents (646) supported the proposals, and 39% (478) opposed.
Lesley Griffiths said: “I am very pleased with the excellent number of responses to the consultation on this important piece of legislation, which will save lives.
“I am aware the subject of organ donation is highly emotive and that many people have strong views on the issue. The Welsh Government is committed to introducing a soft opt-out system of organ donation which, evidence suggests, could increase the number of organ donations by up to 25 per cent.
“For people in need of a transplant, like some of those I met at Wrexham Maelor’s Renal Unit today, the move towards legislation is significant. While Wales has recently seen an increase in donated organs and tissues, on average one person a week in Wales dies while waiting for a transplant because a suitable donor cannot be found.
“The proposed legislation has brought to the fore some very interesting discussion about organ donation. As a result, we have had very thoughtful contributions to the consultation, for which I am grateful.
“We will now give those contributions careful consideration as we develop the draft Bill, which we intend to publish for consultation before the summer.
”The aim is for the new system to be in place in 2015. In the meantime, it is important people discuss their wishes with family and friends, and sign up to the organ donor register.”
Plaid Cymru AM Lindsay Whittle declared his support for an opt-out system on organ donation. Mr Whittle hosted an event on Thursday in the Senedd organised by the Kidney Wales Foundation to mark World Kidney Day.
During the event Mr Whittle spoke about his uncle Donald Jones of Abertridwr, who died in the mid-1950s because of kidney failure.
He said: “There was nothing that could be done to save him. Fortunately, today we are a little more advanced and have organ transplantation.
“In the event of my death, I am happy for any part of me to be donated rather than being buried or burnt.” He said his own daughter, now 30, had only one full-sized kidney.
In what way is the wording of the response letter, sent by many people, confusing? There has always been a list of caveats to add safeguards to an opt out system. The final safeguard in a soft opt out system is that the family have the last say. Under the current system there is a 40% refusal by family if they do not know their loved ones wishes. This refusal drops to 7-5% with an opt out system.