Prevent these avoidable deaths - take the lead on presumed consent: Plaid AM
Plaid AM Dr. Dai Lloyd is hopeful that Wales will take the lead and prevent the deaths of hundreds of people on transplant waiting lists by introducing a system of ‘presumed consent’ on organ donation.
Dr. Lloyd, a long-term campaigner for presumed consent, was speaking following the announcement by the One Wales Government that it has asked for advice on the legislative options available in bringing about the change.
In 2008, around 500 people in Wales were waiting for a kidney transplant, with many more waiting for other organs including heart, and liver, with donor rates running at 22% of the population.
Dr. Lloyd stated:
“The recent consultation carried out by the One Wales Government on organ donation showed clearly that the preferred option in the eyes of the Welsh people was a system of soft presumed consent.
“This would mean that on death it would be assumed that an individual’s organs would be available for transplant, however close relatives would be consulted prior to any decision being taken.
“I have long argued for a system of presumed organ donation. We are seeing far too many people die in Wales due to a shortage of organ donors. This simply cannot be allowed to go on. Wales should take the lead in the UK.
“There are successful models of presumed consent in operation in countries such as Spain and Belgium where the number of organ donors are significantly higher than in Wales.
“The number of people needing a transplant in Wales is at an all time high. In the last seven years for example, those listed as waiting for a new kidney has rocketed by 61% from 309 in December 2001 to 490 in July 2008.
“Quite simply, people are dying on these waiting lists. We have the opportunity to change that by simply changing our approach. There is no doubt that a system of presumed consent would produce a far higher potential donor rate than at present, which is far too low.”
Dr. Lloyd added:
“While recent hard-hitting ads such as the ‘Save Sian’ campaign have helped somewhat in increasing organ donor rates, it is not a long-term answer to the problem of lack of donors. We need a sustainable system, and a soft opt-out system of presumed consent is a way forward in this regard.
“Far too many families in Wales are watching a brother, sister, mother or father waiting for a life-saving transplant, when the answer is staring us in the face. We need more organ donors, and presumed consent is proven to work.
“I am pleased that the One Wales Government is pursuing this important agenda and will be tracking developments over the next few months.”
Diwedd/ Ends
Notes:
The One Wales Government arranged a series of debates to gather public opinion on whether Wales should become the first UK country to introduce a system of presumed consent. The meetings were held during October and November 2008.
