Local Assembly Member Jeff Cuthbert today welcomed the announcement by First Minister Carwyn Jones AM that the Welsh Assembly Government will seek the power to introduce presumed consent for organ donation in Wales.
Jeff Cuthbert said “Nearly 500 patients in Wales are waiting for a transplant – a wait that can feel like being on death row. Today’s statement is another step in the right direction for Wales. An opt out system will mean more organs are available, that no one donates unless they wish to and will save lives.”
Roy J.Thomas, Chairman of Kidney Wales Foundation said “People should be in no doubt; a move to opt out will save lives. A recent study published in the British Medical Journal showed that if it had been in place in the UK nearly 20,000 lives could have been saved and transformed in the last decade.
“Patients in Wales will thank the Welsh Assembly for a vision for change and for taking a lead on opt out in the UK. Wales will become the first part of the UK to properly address the real lack of organ donors and to move to this system. We look forward to the rest of the UK following the Welsh Assembly Government’s leadership.”
