WIREDGOV

January is a time for making resolutions. Whether we vow to be healthier, learn new skills or simply spend more time with family and loved ones, some resolutions are easier to keep than others.
 

The organ donation law will change in Wales this year so a resolution to make an informed choice about whether to opt in, opt out or do nothing and share your decision with your loved ones will be an important one for everyone in Wales ahead of December 1, 2015

The Wales-wide communications campaign will move up a gear this year when the next phase of advertising launches on January 19.

Wales will become the first part of the UK to move to an opt out system for organ donation, which aims to increase the number of organs available for transplant. Under the new system, which comes into force on December 1, 2015, people will become a potential organ donor by either registering their decision to opt in, as they do currently, or by doing nothing at all, in which case their consent may be deemed. People who do nothing will be treated as if they have no objection to becoming a donor.

If an individual doesn’t want to be a donor they will be able to register their decision to opt out.

The latest advertising campaign, which focuses on the need to think about organ donation choices, follows  the most recent public attitudes survey which showed an increase in awareness of the organ donation changes, rising from 57% in June to 62% in September 2014.

Support for the new system from those already registered as donors is high. Among respondents who said they are currently on the NHS Organ Donor Register, the proportion saying they would opt in or remain on the register increased from 87% in 2012 to 99% in 2014.

However, only four out of 10 people questioned had discussed their organ donation wishes with their family or loved ones, with significant variations across the country according to age, location and social demographics.

Health and Social Services Minister Mark Drakeford said:

“2015 will see Wales become the first country in the UK to introduce a soft opt out system for organ donation. We hope this new law will help save more lives and transform attitudes on consent to organ donation here in Wales.

“While awareness and understanding of the legislation continues to increase, the percentage of people who have talked about their organ donation wishes remains low.

“Finding ourselves in the position of being a donor is rare and often families do not expect to be approached about donating a relative’s organs.  But when they know each other’s wishes, more families feel able to carry out what their loved ones wanted.  The new law will make the decision to be a donor the default position unless the person said otherwise.  It is therefore vital we all make a resolution, if we have not done so already, to think and talk about our organ donation choices with those we love.’’