The final countdown to the change in Wales’ organ donation law begins

With less than three weeks to go until the organ donation law changes in Wales, people are being urged to register their decision ahead of December 1.

As part of the ongoing It’s Time to Choose campaign, an information roadshow and digital countdown van will be touring Wales to inform people about the changes to the organ donation law and will visit 18 locations between November 23 and 27.

People across Wales are being encouraged to think about their organ donation choices and if they need more information about how to register a decision to opt in or opt out in advance of December 1, they can visit a roadshow at a location close to them.

On December 1, Wales will become the first country in the UK to introduce a soft opt-out system. The new system will make it easier for people to make a decision about whether or not they want to become organ donors.

Under the new system, if people have not registered a decision to become an organ donor (opted in) or a decision not to become an organ donor (opted out), they will be considered as having no objection to being an organ donor – this is known as deemed consent.

Health and Social Services Minister Mark Drakeford said:

“We are only three weeks away from the implementation of this change to the organ donation law in Wales. It’s very important everyone is aware of the change and what their organ donation choices will be.

“The It’s Time to Choose campaign encourages people to have a conversation about organ donation with their family and loved ones and I hope people will visit one of the roadshow events to find out about the new law and the importance of talking about their organ donation decisions with their friends and family.”

From December 1, your choices will be:

If you want to be a donor you can:

Register a decision to become an organ donor (opt in) or
Choose to do nothing and have your consent deemed. By doing nothing you are regarded as having no objection to becoming an organ donor.
If you do not want to be a donor you can:

Register a decision not to be a donor (opt out).
If you register a decision to become an organ donor, you will be able to choose to donate all your organs and tissues or select the specific organs or tissues you wish to donate.

Many families refuse organ donation if they do not know what their loved one wanted. Whatever your organ donation decision is, make time to talk with your loved ones.

Members of the Organ Donation Wales team will be available to speak to about the changes to the law at the following locations:

Monday November 23

Tesco, Mold: 9am to 12pm
St John’s Church, Cardiff city centre: 10am to 12pm
Asda, Rhyl: 2pm to 5pm
Asda, Merthyr: 2pm to 5pm
Tuesday November 24

Asda, Bangor: 9am to 12pm
Morrisons, Porth: 9am to 12pm
Asda, Holyhead: 2pm to 5pm
Asda, Caerphilly: 1pm to 4pm
Wednesday November 25

Morrisons, Newtown: 9am to 12pm
Morrisons, Aberystwyth: 2pm to 5pm
Morrisons, Ebbw Vale: 2pm to 5pm
Thursday November 26

Tesco, Haverfordwest: 9am to 12pm
Asda, Newport Pillgwenlly: 9am to 12pm
Morrisons, Carmarthen: 2pm to 5pm
Friday November 27

Tesco Trostre, Llanelli: 9am to 12pm
Asda, Bridgend: 9am to 12pm
Tesco, Port Talbot: 2pm to 5pm
Asda, Cardiff Bay: 2pm to 5pm