Organ Donation Wales

James Lloyd

A lasting legacy.

James Lloyd

Register your organ donation decision
Why change the system?

How is Organ Donation is changing in Wales?

I want to be an organ donor:

Opt in

You can register a decision to be an organ donor

By registering your choice to be a donor, you can choose to donate all or only certain organs.

Do nothing

You have no objection to becoming an organ donor

If you haven’t recorded an organ donation decision (opt in or opt out) on the NHS Organ Donation Register, you will be treated as having no objection to donating any of your organs. This is called "deemed consent".

Find out more

I don’t want to be an organ donor:

Opt out

You can register a decision not to be an organ donor

You can register your decision not to be a donor. Also, be sure to tell your loved ones your organ donation decision, so they can make sure it is respected. You can change your organ donation decision at any time.

Why change the system?

Why?

There is a big shortage of organs for transplants in Wales and the UK.
In 2014-15, 14 people died in Wales while waiting for a transplant.

Organ Donation is rare. Less than 1% of people in Wales die in a way that allows organ donation to take place. Another reason for the shortage is that many families say no to organ donation if they don’t know if their loved one wanted to donate.

The new system will be clearer for everyone. If family members are approached about organ donation, they will know that their loved could have opted out but chose not to.

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Don’t forget to make time to talk to your family and friends so that they know what you want. If it became possible for you to donate, your family or friends would always be involved. If they knew you did not want to be a donor, they would be able to say so.

If you haven’t recorded an organ donation decision (opt in or opt out), you will be treated as having no objection to becoming an organ donor.
This is called "deemed consent".

Register your organ donation decision

Or call 0300 123 23 23

Calls to this phone line will be answered by the NHS Blood and Transplant Service.
Lines are open 24 hours a day all year round.
Calls are charged at your contracted rate for local calls.

The information that you provide is sent securely and directly to NHS Blood and Transplant. You can see their data protection statement on the NHSBT website

Fact

Around 7000 people are waiting for transplant across the UK
One donor can save or transform up to 9 lives
Most people who become donors are not actually on the Organ Donor Register
The UK has amongst the highest number of family refusals to donation
Only 35% of people in Wales have signed the Organ Donor Register

Myth

I’m too old to be a donor, you wouldn’t want my organs!
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I’ve got long term health problems, so there’s no way I can donate. They won’t want my organs!
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Doctors won’t do enough to save me if I sign the Organ Donor Register. They’ll be more interested in taking my organs to save someone else.
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It’s against my religion to be a donor.
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I don’t need to tell my family that I want to be a donor because I have it written in my will.
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