Public consultation on organ donation gets underway
OnMedica staff
Monday, 27 October 2008
People in Wales are this week being asked to take part in a national debate on changing the current organ donations laws to consider a switch to a system of presumed consent where patients who want to opt out would need to say so.
Governments across the UK are trying to find ways of boosting the number of organs available for transplant as demand for major organs such as kidneys, lungs and liver continue to rise and patients die while they are on waiting lists.
The around-Wales debates, which start in Cardiff on Monday, come after Health Minister Edwina Hart overturned the recommendations of the National Assembly’s health committee which had ruled out a law change in favour of presumed consent.
Mrs Hart said: “Although the Assembly Government is already funding campaigns to increase the number of donors, a shortage of organs still remains, so it is my belief that we should examine more closely the issue of introducing a system of presumed consent.
“I recognise that any changes to legislation would require further wideranging consultation and testing of public opinion as this is a sensitive and emotive issue. That’s why I’m announcing this series of debates and publishing a discussion paper for those that are unable to attend but would still wish to comment.
“Once there is clear understanding of public opinion in Wales on the issue of presumed consent, the Assembly Government will consider the need for a legislative change.”
There are currently 495 people in Wales waiting for an organ transplant – 437 of whom need a new kidney. But because of the shortage of organs for donation, people are dying every year while on the waiting list – four people have died already this year in Wales.
The public debates, which have been organised by Wales’ community health councils, will also discuss the current opt-in system and a third possibility – mandated choice.
Dr Richard Lewis, Welsh secretary of the BMA, said: “BMA Cymru Wales has always consistently called for an open and honest public debate on the issues surrounding presumed consent for organ donation. While the BMA has always argued for a shake-up of the way organs are donated, we accept that if we are going to have such a fundamental change, then the public needs to be informed and engaged about the issues.
“That is why we welcome this series of public meetings and we urge doctors across Wales and the general public to have their say.”
Roy J Thomas, chairman of the Kidney Wales Foundation and the Donate Wales campaign, said: “We know that a large percentage of people in Wales support organ donation, yet there remains a desperate shortage of donors.
“We in Wales can and must continue to take the lead in addressing this shortage and we welcome the Minister’s encouraging steps to do so by engaging the public in the biggest ethical debate the Assembly has faced since the arrival of devolved government in our country.
“The desperate shortage of donors means that those waiting for a transplant face the reality of having to wait years before getting that second chance a transplant could give them.
“Kidney Wales believes the introduction of a system of presumed consent, with the general public’s support, coupled with more efficiencies in acute hospitals and more donor co-ordinators, would lead to many more lives being saved thanks to the gift of the donor.
“This system has been proven to help save and transform thousands of lives in other European countries where it has already been adopted.”
Plaid Cymru AM Dr Dai Lloyd, a member of the health committee, who voted against the idea of abandoning presumed consent, said: “Far too many families in Wales are watching a brother, sister, mother or father waiting for a lifesaving transplant, when the answer is staring us in the face. We need more organ donors, and presumed consent is proven to work.”