Date Published: 30 July 2008

BMA Cymru Wales comment on Assembly Committee report into organ donation

Responding to the publication of the Assembly's Health, Wellbeing and Local Government Committee's report into organ donation Welsh Secretary of the BMA, Dr Richard Lewis said:

"BMA Cymru Wales welcomes aspects of the report. In particular we fully support the recommendation that transplant capacity within Wales should be reviewed and the need to increase the number of intensive or critical care facilities in Wales to help increase the number of organs available for transplant.

"However, BMA Cymru Wales is extremely disappointed that the report has rejected immediate calls for legislation aimed at introducing presumed consent for organ donation. We disagree that this would act as a distraction.

We feel the Committee has missed a real an opportunity for Wales to take the lead and send a clear message to the rest of the UK that a 'soft' system of presumed consent would increase donation rates and save Welsh lives."

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