Organ donation rise witnessed in Wales

The organ donation ‘opt-out’ scheme launched in Wales a year ago has resulted in a rise in transplants.

The scheme, which regards adults as having allowed organ donation unless they have opted out, has seen 160 organs transplanted, with 39 through deemed consent.

The Welsh Government has stated its confidence that earlier hopes of a 25 per cent increase in the number of donors will be reached in future.

In the UK, it is reported that 62 per cent of families agree to organ donation when approached, with government and healthcare workers hoping of increasing that proportion to 80 per cent.

Health Secretary Vaughan Gething said: “There's a much greater awareness of organ donation itself. More people are having those conversations with their loved ones about whether they want to opt in or to simply leave it as a point of deemed consent.

“It makes a real difference then to have that conversation at that point in time when it becomes a possibility and makes it much easier for health staff too.”

Consultant Dr Chris Hingston, clinical lead for organ donation at University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff, said: "We've seen a big impact at the bedside in terms of families approaching us to ask about organ donation, but equally families when we asked them if their loved ones wished to become a donor actually know the wishes.

"Even if that's not to become a donor, so they're refusing, but they're confident that that's the right decision for their loved ones. As a clinician that's all I ever wanted - that there wasn't a grey area where there's indecision and difficulty for families."