4. 3. Statement: Deemed Consent for Organ Donation — the First Six Months

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 3:03 pm on 14 June 2016.

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Photo of Vaughan Gething Vaughan Gething Labour 3:03, 14 June 2016

Thank you for that series of questions. I’ll just deal first with the point that I think was about a misunderstanding, rather than anything else, because I was actually referring to the role of the family in not supporting donation, but of someone who’s actually made a decision to go on to the register to opt in. That still happens, but that’s part of what we need to do. It’s part of the sensitivity of the medical professionals and, in particular, in the scrutiny phase of this and afterwards, the record of the role of the specialist nurse, both being positive in explaining choice and what it means for people at that time, whether they opt in or opt out, whether they consent to donation proceeding and also, in particular, those who do say ‘yes’, because that’s been one of the things that’s been most affecting through this process is meeting families and loved ones of people who have gone on to be donors. So many of them have a positive story to tell about a death not being in vain, and understanding that there are other people who have continued with their lives because of the choice that’s been made. And that’s absolutely been very genuinely, very motivational, hearing that.

In terms of your broader points about research on impact and a review, we have, of course, committed to reviewing the impact of the legislation. I’m sure there will be a number of people wishing to undertake their own research on the impact of the law, but the Government has committed to review the impact of the legislation. We won’t be doing that right now because this is an update statement rather than a formal review of where we are in the first six months. We’re going to spend approximately £200,000 over the course of this next year on promoting what’s taken place, that information campaign, but you’ll be aware funding will continue into the next year because the Assembly committed to spending about £7.5 million over 10 years when we passed this legislation.

I do want to start off by recognising what Angela Burns said at the start of her contribution, and not just thank you—I should say it to Rhun as well—but say congratulations both to yourself and Rhun ap Iorwerth on your changes in role, and welcome to a significantly interesting portfolio where nearly half the Government’s money is spent. I do recognise that on this particular issue, not only did the Welsh Conservatives have a free vote, but I recognise very well that you said you were a sceptic, and it was a leap of faith to support the legislation coming into place. That’s why it is important that we’re open and transparent about the impact that the legislation is having and, equally, if we understand there’s more that we could or should do to improve the system. And that isn’t just about increasing the number of donors, but actually understanding the impact on families of any decision to proceed with donation.

I’ll deal with two final points that occurred in your comments and questions. The first was about ensuring that awareness continues, in particular for younger people. We’re already planning to ensure that people who are approaching their eighteenth birthday have what’s been called—I’m not sure if this is the right terminology—‘a rising 18s letter’. So, people who are approaching their eighteenth birthdays receive formal communication that tells them, reminds them, about the new system and what their choices are and it encourages them to talk to their loved ones, to have the conversation with people around them about what they would like to see happen. Equally, for the future, we’re looking at GP registration. It isn’t ready yet, but at some point we should be able to do something when people register with their GPs, so people can register their choice at that point as well. The more opportunities we give people, the easier we make it for people to record what their choice is—to opt in, to opt out or to do nothing—I think the better it is for all of us. That’s part of the success this legislation needs to have, to see the impact we want it to have, when more and more lives are saved each year.