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Organ donation: Drakeford hails 'historic day' for Wales Organ donation: Drakeford hails 'historic day' for Wales
(35 minutes later)
The health minister has hailed "an historic day for Wales" after assembly members voted in favour of presumed consent for organ donation.The health minister has hailed "an historic day for Wales" after assembly members voted in favour of presumed consent for organ donation.
Wales will be the first UK country to adopt a system where people are presumed to have consented for organs to be donated unless they opt out.Wales will be the first UK country to adopt a system where people are presumed to have consented for organs to be donated unless they opt out.
Mark Drakeford said he was proud about Tuesday's vote but his thoughts were with those waiting for organs.Mark Drakeford said he was proud about Tuesday's vote but his thoughts were with those waiting for organs.
The new presumed consent system could come into force by 2015.The new presumed consent system could come into force by 2015.
The vote took place just before 22:00 BST with 43 of the 60 assembly members backing the bill, eight voting against and there were two abstentions.The vote took place just before 22:00 BST with 43 of the 60 assembly members backing the bill, eight voting against and there were two abstentions.
Mr Drakeford said the vote had "demonstrated the huge strengths of this assembly". Mr Drakeford told BBC Wales the vote followed an "epic" five-hour discussion, adding: "I'm very relieved to see the bill safely on to the statute books but very proud as well - proud of achieving this in Wales, proud of the job that the assembly has done in scrutinising and improving the bill".
He told BBC Wales the vote followed an "epic" five-hour discussion, adding: "I'm very relieved to see the bill safely on to the statute books but very proud as well - proud of achieving this in Wales, proud of the job that the assembly has done in scrutinising and improving the bill".
He said that "most of all, my feelings are with those people waiting for donation whose lives depend upon having an organ through transplantation".He said that "most of all, my feelings are with those people waiting for donation whose lives depend upon having an organ through transplantation".
The current system, which operates across the UK, relies on people signing up to a voluntary scheme and carrying a donor card.The current system, which operates across the UK, relies on people signing up to a voluntary scheme and carrying a donor card.
But the Welsh government is keen to drive up low transplant rates by 25% and say the new scheme will save countless lives.But the Welsh government is keen to drive up low transplant rates by 25% and say the new scheme will save countless lives.
As currently happens, organs could go to recipients anywhere in the UK, not just in Wales.As currently happens, organs could go to recipients anywhere in the UK, not just in Wales.
According to the NHS Blood and Transplant service, there are around 250 people on a waiting list for a transplant at any one time, and 33 people in Wales died in 2012/13 while waiting.According to the NHS Blood and Transplant service, there are around 250 people on a waiting list for a transplant at any one time, and 33 people in Wales died in 2012/13 while waiting.
Ministers insist the scheme will be implemented sensitively and they will launch a two-year, £8m publicity drive to inform people about their choices. Evidence from other countries with an opt-out system indicates that the rise in organ donors is small with around 15 additional donors provided each year and approximately 45 extra organs.
There has been opposition to the scheme but ministers insist it will be implemented sensitively and they will launch a two-year, £8m publicity drive to inform people about their choices.
The British Medical Association (BMA), welcomed the result of the vote.The British Medical Association (BMA), welcomed the result of the vote.
Dr Richard Lewis, BMA Wales secretary, said: "A few years ago, Wales was ready to lead the UK on banning smoking in public places but we didn't have the necessary legal powers.Dr Richard Lewis, BMA Wales secretary, said: "A few years ago, Wales was ready to lead the UK on banning smoking in public places but we didn't have the necessary legal powers.
"This time we are delighted that our National Assembly has shown the rest of the UK the way forward and fully support its implementation."This time we are delighted that our National Assembly has shown the rest of the UK the way forward and fully support its implementation.
"Patients across the country will now benefit directly or indirectly from this Bill." "Patients across the country will now benefit directly or indirectly from this bill."
Roy J Thomas, chief executive of Kidney Wales Foundation (KWF) said: "Deemed consent has a positive and sizeable effect on organ donation rates of some 25% to 35% higher on average in presumed consent countries.Roy J Thomas, chief executive of Kidney Wales Foundation (KWF) said: "Deemed consent has a positive and sizeable effect on organ donation rates of some 25% to 35% higher on average in presumed consent countries.
"One person dies every week in Wales waiting for an organ transplant."One person dies every week in Wales waiting for an organ transplant.
"Three people die a day in the UK. The current system has failed those waiting.""Three people die a day in the UK. The current system has failed those waiting."
There had been opposition to the changes from Christian churches and from within the Muslim and Jewish communities, who wanted a "soft opt-out scheme" to give deceased patients' families a say on donation if their relative had neither opted in or out.There had been opposition to the changes from Christian churches and from within the Muslim and Jewish communities, who wanted a "soft opt-out scheme" to give deceased patients' families a say on donation if their relative had neither opted in or out.
Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Kirsty Williams said she hoped the Bill would mean more people would benefit from organ donation, while Plaid Cymru AM Rhodri Glyn Thomas said the vote had showed the assembly was "capable of creating good law here". Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Kirsty Williams said she hoped the bill would mean more people would benefit from organ donation, while Plaid Cymru AM Rhodri Glyn Thomas said the vote had showed the assembly was "capable of creating good law here".
Conservative AM Darren Millar, shadow minister for health, said there was "still much work to do".Conservative AM Darren Millar, shadow minister for health, said there was "still much work to do".
Mr Drakeford previously assured AMs the Welsh government had committed to reviewing the new system five years after it became law.Mr Drakeford previously assured AMs the Welsh government had committed to reviewing the new system five years after it became law.