Welsh Liberal Democrats have given their backing to plans by the Health Minister to introduce an opt-out system of organ donation in Wales.
It would mean that Welsh residents would be presumed to be organ donors unless they have joined an opt out register or immediate relatives object. Other exclusions include if a person’s identity or place of residence cannot be confirmed. The ‘soft opt-out’ system is similar to that already used in Belgium and Portugal, where organ donation rates are far higher than in the UK.
To introduce this measure the Welsh Assembly will need to bid for additional law-making powers from the Westminster Government, something the Minister has indicated she intends to do.
Welsh Liberal Democrat Health Spokesperson, Peter Black has welcomed the move. “I am very pleased that the Minister has decided to bid for the power to make this change to the organ donation rules in Wales. This is a policy that the Welsh Liberal Democrats fully support and is greatly needed in Wales.”
“The soft-opt out system is the best way of increasing the number of donations that are made, while giving families and individuals the safeguards against having their organs removed against their will.”
“Wales will be the first part of the UK to introduce such a system and shows a real lead in progressive thinking coming from the National Assembly for Wales. However, it is a long process and the governments in both Cardiff and Westminster must progress this bid for powers as quickly as possible.”
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