Figures released this week to mark National Transplant week show that family support for organ donation more than doubles when people know about their loved one’s wishes. NHS Blood and Transplant confirmed that family support rates in the UK jump from 41% when wishes about organ donation are not known to a massive 95% when [...]
Posts Tagged ‘organ donation’
National Transplant week
Wednesday, July 11th, 2012
Five reasons for restraining enthusiasm for the Welsh Donation Bill by Professor John Saunders, chair of the Royal College of Physicians’ Ethical Issues in Medicine Committee
Tuesday, December 13th, 2011There are five reasons for restraining one’s enthusiasm for the Welsh Donation Bill. Firstly, thanks to media exposure in Wales, organ donation rates are rising. They are now not far behind Spain: that is to say Wales has one of the best donation rates per million in the world. In fact, for the last 10 [...]
Opt For Life by Roy J Thomas Chairman Kidney Wales Foundation and Opt For Life Cymru
Monday, December 12th, 2011The UK’s first soft opt-out system for organ and tissue donation will be in place in four years time. This will be welcome news to all those waiting for an organ transplant. The UK has the one of the lowest donor rates in Europe. In the UK, three people die every day while on the [...]
“The drive in Wales is already succeeding….” The Archbishop of Wales, Dr Barry Morgan
Friday, December 9th, 2011As Christians we believe that offering our organs to save lives is love in action and part of what it means to love our neighbours. So donating our organs goes to the heart of what it is to be a disciple of Jesus. That is why I carry a donor card and strongly urge as [...]
“The altruistic choice remains….” Dr Tony Calland, Chair of the BMA Medical Ethics Committee
Wednesday, December 7th, 2011The subject of organ donation generates a wide spectrum of emotions ranging from revulsion through denial and fear to sympathy, empathy and generosity. The reality of the current situation is that one person a week dies in Wales whilst waiting for a donor organ and although the UK donation rate has improved recently achieving stable [...]
“What really matters is that organ donation is an issue that has been discussed within every family” Glyn Davies MP
Tuesday, December 6th, 2011Last week, work started on the long awaited new permanent renal dialysis unit attached to Welshpool Hospital in my constituency. I am only sorry that my dear friend, Trudy Baynes did not live to join in the celebration. Trudy was an early heart and lung transplant, and for many years she campaigned tirelessly for better local [...]
“I will be very proud if my legacy as Health Minister includes this step forward” The Minister for Health and Social Services, Lesley Griffiths
Monday, December 5th, 2011Last month, along with the First Minister, I visited the Transplant Unit in the University of Wales Hospital to launch a consultation on Organ Donation and Tissue Donation, the results of which could improve the lives of many people. The Organ and Tissue Donation White Paper asks for opinions on how we can introduce a [...]
Organ donation – a week of guest bloggers!
Monday, December 5th, 2011This week we are hosting a week of guest bloggers who will be giving their views on organ donation. It is crucial to have as much discussion and debate as possible on the Welsh Government plans to move to an opt out system in order to raise awareness of what the new system is trying to achieve. This [...]
Presumed consent is the right way forward for Wales
Wednesday, September 28th, 2011Presumed consent has hit the headlines again in the Welsh press over the past week. Despite outlining BMA Cymru’s position a few times on this blog over the past few years, after reading the negative coverage on the topic I feel compelled to write once more. At our annual representative meeting in Cardiff this year, [...]
BMA continues to support presumed consent
Tuesday, July 5th, 2011Organ donation was a hot topic last week at our annual conference. Following a heated debate, delegates voted to continue to support a “soft” presumed consent policy for organ donation. We are pleased that the First Minister has said the Welsh Government will go ahead with plans for a bill to create an opt-out organ [...]
Wales could lead the way…..
Thursday, March 4th, 2010Plaid Cymru MP Hywel Williams has laid an early day motion backing Wales’ decision to explore moving to a system of presumed consent. It says: “That this House welcomes the announcement by the Welsh Assembly Government that Wales will move to a system of presumed consent, based on a soft opt-out system for organ donation; [...]
Presumed consent: the debate
Tuesday, December 22nd, 2009Fervent debate has followed the announcement by Health Minister Edwina Hart last Friday that Wales could move to a system of presumed consent for organ donation. Jonathan Morgan AM has voiced his concern over the announcement. This is what I said in response: “We recognise that the introduction of an opt-out system would be a [...]