Plaid Cymru AM and Organ Donation campaigner, Dr Dai Lloyd has today welcomed news that the Welsh government is pressing for the powers to legislate for an opt-out system for organ donation. However the Plaid AM said that with an expected wait of at least three years for the powers, this was yet another issue that highlights the need for a yes vote in next year’s referendum.
Dr Lloyd explained that international evidence shows that by changing to a ‘soft presumed consent’ system of organ donation, the amount of organs available for transplant increases by 30%. He added that as 1 person in Wales dies every 11 days while waiting for a kidney, a change in the system is urgently needed
Plaid Cymru AM for South Wales West and organ donation campaigner, Dr Dai Lloyd said:
“I very much welcome the fact that the Welsh government will be seeking these powers so that the ‘soft presumed consent’ system can be introduced here in Wales. This system, under which people can choose to opt-out of organ donation, has been internationally proven to lead to a 30% increase in the number of organs available. The reality is that this would save lives. However for the 500 people currently on the transplant waiting list here in Wales, time is of the essence and unfortunately, the current legislative set-up means that this will be a very long and drawn out process.
“This issue highlights once again why a Yes vote in next year’s referendum is so crucial. We already know that had we had the powers at the time, we could have banned smoking in public places around 3 ½ years before it actually happened. As things stand, 1 person in Wales dies every 11 days while waiting for a kidney, we desperately need to change the system so that more lives can be saved.”
