What is the donation and transplant plan for Wales?
This month, on behalf of Welsh Government, the Deputy Chief Medical Officer shared the news of a plan that will aim to build on the improvements in donation and transplantation and it covers both living and deceased donations of both tissue and organs for adults and children.
Welsh Government have outlined the process and a summery in the links below
English: https://gov.wales/donation-and-transplantation-plan-2022-2026-whc202212
Cymraeg: https://llyw.cymru/cynllun-rhoi-thrawsblannu-2022-i-2026-whc202212
The plan for 2022-2026 recognises the ongoing pressures within the NHS and an ongoing need
to provide services differently both in response to COVID and to tackle the reduction in the number of organ donors and the increase in the transplant waiting list because of COVID.
Donation and Transplantation plan for Wales: 2022 – 2026 – https://www.odt.nhs.uk/odt-structures-and-standards/key-strategies/donation-and-transplantation-plan-for-wales/
Professor Chris Jones says “We have made significant progress improving both consent and organ donation rates in recent years as well as reducing the transplant waiting list. I appreciate the effects of the pandemic have impacted significantly and set back progress. We are very grateful for everyone’s continued efforts and dedication to improve organ/tissue donation and transplantation. I hope this plan will help act as a catalyst to take forward to further improvement and ensure Wales continues to lead the way.”
Since the introduction of deemed consent in Wales, it is easier than ever for people to become donors. Now no action is required to become an organ donor, you can still register your decision on the NHS Organ Donor Register which will allow you to make specifications and you can tell family your decision. Telling your family your decision helps them if you die in a way where donation, is an option. When approached, your family will know your organ donation decision and be able to honour that for you.
Learn more about organ donation here:
https://gov.wales/organ-donation-information-leaflet
https://www.organdonation.nhs.uk/
What does this mean?
Following the UK Organ Donation Taskforce 2008 report and UK Taking Organ Transplantation to 2020 and the accompanying Wales action plan. This plan has been developed by members of the Welsh Transplantation Advisory Group (WTAG) and external stakeholders and sets out several specific actions around six priority areas to be taken forward.
Identifying the areas of need means that appropriate action can be taken to ensure that access to the best possible treatment. The plan outlines a need to increase deceased organ donation, living donation and transplantation, access to transplantation and to improve transplant outcomes.
“Ensure the whole population of Wales can donate tissue or organs and receive a transplant whenever this is clinically possible”
Donation and Transplantation plan for Wales: 2022 – 2026 – https://www.odt.nhs.uk/odt-structures-and-standards/key-strategies/donation-and-transplantation-plan-for-wales/