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Organ donation: Drakeford hails 'historic day' for Wales | Organ donation: Drakeford hails 'historic day' for Wales |
(35 minutes later) | |
A vote in favour of a system where people are presumed to have consented for their organs to be donated after death has been hailed as a "historic day" by Wales' health minister. | |
It means Wales will be the first UK nation to introduce a system where people are presumed to have consented to become donors unless they opt out. | |
It could come into force by 2015. | |
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 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 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 wants 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. |
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. | 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. | 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. |