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Transplant Patients Pin Hopes On Law Change

Ministers have dismissed claims that changes to organ donation laws in Wales could result in bodies being "plundered for spare parts" like old cars.

From 1 December, a new law will mean every adult who has been a Welsh resident for more than a year will be automatically registered as an organ donor if they die there.

Wales will be the first UK nation to introduce a system of presumed consent, so people who don't want to be involved will have to formally opt out.

Supporters say it will save lives as organs will be available to patients across the UK.

But Joyce Robins, from Patient Concern, told Sky News of her fears that organs could be removed without proper consent.

"They're in danger of spoiling the positive aura of the transplant process by treating bodies as if they're cars to be plundered for spare parts," Ms Robins said.

Welsh Health Minister Mark Drakeford has dismissed the concerns – saying 86,000 people have already opted out, compared to more than a million who have signed the Organ Donation Register under the current system.

He believes organ donation could be boosted by 25% under the new policy.

Mr Drakeford added: "Twelve people died in Wales last year for the want of an organ. All those deaths were avoidable if the system could be made to be a bit more effective than it is today.

"We think changing the consent arrangements will make that step change difference, and it will save lives."

Transplant groups, including Kidney Wales, have welcomed the changes – calling on other countries in the UK to follow suit.

Currently, around 7,000 people in the UK are on the transplant waiting list, and more than 10% of them will die before a donor is found.

Former Welsh Rugby star Rhys Thomas is waiting for a donor after suffering a heart attack three years ago.

He said the new law offered patients hope, explaining: "If I don't have a heart in the near future, I will die.

"Unless you're on the emergency list the chances are pretty poor to be honest, there are just not enough donors to go around."

The opt-out system being rolled out in Wales has already been running for decades in Israel, Singapore and other European countries including Spain, which has the highest organ donation rate in the world.