Wrexham Assembly Member Lesley Griffiths is urging the people of Wrexham to make their views known on planned changes to Welsh organ donations policy, before the consultation period ends on January the 31st.
The Welsh Government launched the consultation the White paper on organ donation on November the 7th last year, to allow people to have their say on how people give consent to organ donation after death.
The White paper puts forward a change to the current system, moving towards a soft opt-out approach to consenting to organ donation.
This means that unless someone registers a wish not to be a donor, they will be treated as though they have no objection to their organs being donated after death. However, families will remain at the centre of any subsequent decision on wether or not to donate.
Since the launch of the consultation in November, there has been some high profile support for the proposed system. The most notable backing came from business tycoon Sir Richard Branson, who has made his support know on twitter and in a telephone conversation with Lesley on the Welsh Government’s plans.
However the consultation will end with January and AM Griffiths is urging her constituents to take the opportunity to air their views before that date.
Commenting, AM Griffiths said:
“I believe this organ donation policy change will mean more organs will become available year on year, saving many lives across Wales.
“However, it is highly important everyone has a chance to air their views on the subject. This consultation allows people to highlight any objections or problems they may have with the plans.
“The Welsh Government wants to encourage as wide an array of view upon this White paper, as part of an open, democratic policymaking process. For this reason, it is important people are aware of the dates the consultation runs and how they can make their views known.”
“I encourage people to log on to the Welsh Government website, read the White Paper and have their say before the 31st January.“
The white paper and consultation documents can be found at: http://wales.gov.uk/consultations/healthsocialcare/organ/?lang=en
