Wednesday, May 18th, 2011

Plaid AM pushes for Organ Donation legislation

Opt-out system can’t be held back any longer

Carmarthen East and Dinefwr Assembly Member, Rhodri Glyn Thomas AM, has urged the new Health Minister Lesley Griffiths to push forward with changes to the organ donation system in Wales at the first available opportunity.

The previous Welsh Assembly had supported proposals originally tabled by former Plaid Cymru AM Dr. Dai Lloyd, to move to an opt-out system of organ donation.  The LCO was withdrawn by the government following the successful referendum on further law making powers delivered by Plaid Cymru in government.  Rhodri Glyn Thomas AM is now calling on the Labour government to bring forward new legislation to ensure that changes are made to the system as soon as possible.

Rhodri Glyn Thomas AM, said:

“Changes to the organ donation system have been backed by Assembly Members on a cross party basis.  The urgency to address this issue is clear.  Kidney Foundation Wales have highlighted that tragically someone dies every 11 days waiting for a transplant.  That is a statistic that we can’t accept. 

 

“The organ donation LCO was first put forward by Dr Dai Lloyd and his passion won over support from across the political divide and the wider Welsh public.  I believe that the new Health Minister has to see this issue as a priority for her at the very start of this Assembly term.  This change can help save lives and there should be no more delays in implementing the proposals.” 

 

ENDS / DIWEDD

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