AS ST.DAVID’S DAY approaches, people across Wales are getting ready to celebrate all things Welsh. March 1 will also mark nine months to go until Wales changes the organ donation law, making Wales the first country in the UK to introduce a soft opt-out system for organ donation.

As part of the Welsh Government’s Time to Talk organ donation campaign the city of St David’s is being encouraged to make a Big Talk, Small City pledge to get everyone talking about organ donation in the lead up to St David’s Day. From Monday February 23, the people of St Davids will be spreading the word that a change to the law is coming.

The new system for organ donation aims to increase the number of donated organs available for transplant. Under the new system, which will come into force on December 1, people will become a potential organ donor by either registering their decision to opt in – as they do currently – or by doing nothing at all, in which case their consent may be deemed.

By deciding to do nothing people will show they have no objection to becoming an organ donor. From the summer, for the first time in the UK, people who do not wish to become organ donors will be able to register their decision and opt out of the new system.

Families and close friends of donors still have an important role to play under the new system. They will be asked to confirm details about their loved one, including whether they lived in Wales. If they knew their loved one did not want to donate their organs they can also raise this and consent will not be deemed. This is why it is important for families to talk about organ donation.

As part of the Big Talk, Small City St David’s activity, members of the community will play their part in raising awareness throughout the city by hosting a range of activities from leaflet door drops and displaying posters to hosting events and providing on-hand experts for members of the public to talk to.

Health and Social Services Minister Mark Drakeford said: “December 1 will see Wales become the first country in the UK to introduce a soft opt-out system for organ donation. We hope this new law will help save more lives by transforming attitudes towards consent to organ donation here in Wales. While awareness and understanding of the legislation continues to increase, the percentage of people who have talked about their organ donation wishes remains low. It’s fantastic that the people of St David’s city have come on board and through their Big Talk, Small City pledge, will help to spread the word that Wales is changing its organ donation laws.”

One community group, which is really behind the St Davids Big Talk, Small City organ donation campaign is Menevia WI, St Davids. On Wednesday February 25, members of the group will be doing a mass leaflet drop to households across St David’s, as well as delivering posters for display in local community amenity sites such as shops, GP surgeries, schools and dentists.

And on Saturday February 28, Organ Donation Wales will have a stand as part of the city’s St David’s Day activity, so members of the public can come and talk about the new legislation and what it means for them.

The President of Menevia Women’s Institute, Nanette Billeau, said: “Last year the Women’s Institute made a resolution to support organ donation and raise awareness of the importance of talking about organ donation. As a local group, we were really keen to get on board and help encourage the people of St Davids to get talking about their organ donation wishes. It’s going to be a big job getting round to as many people as possible, but we’re up for the challenge.”

From December 1, 2015,

the choices will be:

To be a donor, an individual can:

Register a decision to be a donor

(opt in)

Choose to do nothing. If you do nothing, you will be treated as if you have no objection to being an organ donor.

To not be a donor, an individual can:

Register a decision not to be a donor (opt out)

Like the current system, anybody will be able to register a decision to donate all organs and tissues or to select specific organs or tissues. Until December 1, the current opt-in system will continue and the deemed consent will not apply.