10th anniversary celebration of transplant legislation in Wales!
December 1st 2025 marked a decade since Wales led the way to become the first of the four home nations to introduce new legislation, the Human Transplantation (Wales) Act 2013, which permits an ‘opt-out’ system of organ donation, known as deemed consent. This means that if you haven’t registered an organ donation decision (whether you opt in or opt out), you’ll be considered, or ‘deemed,’ as having no objection to becoming a donor.
Sadly, despite ongoing awareness campaigns, we’ve seen consent rates drop over recent years, and with almost 7,000 people in the UK currently on the kidney transplant waiting list, the demand for kidney transplants is at an all-time high, and the average wait for a kidney still being around 2-3 years long.
Ross Evans, CEO of Kidney Wales, says: “Kidney Wales campaigned for years for the UK, and primarily Wales, to change its laws on organ donation. Since the legislation was implemented, we acknowledge that some inroads have been made to bridge the gap between people needing a kidney transplant and the availability of suitable organs. But the lower consent rates are a concern. Kidneys are the most sought-after organ for transplant, with people waiting for a kidney transplant making up more than two-thirds of the UK waiting list, so it’s important to keep the conversation about consent going.”
Last year, transplants from living kidney donors increased by 6% to 964, which is 29% of the total kidney transplant programme – an encouraging step forward. But kidney transplants from deceased donors fell by 5% and research is currently underway to identify the reasons behind the lower consent rates.
Ross continues: “We’re committed to supporting and promoting the NHS Organ Donor Register alongside the Donation and Transplantation Plan for Wales 2022- 2026, which prioritises living kidney donation and transplantation. We know that living donation provides the best outcome for kidney transplant patients.
“We also believe that, even with deemed consent, it’s important to register your organ donation decision with NHS Organ Donation because it removes all future doubt about wishes. When you register your decision, you’re helping your loved ones to know exactly what you want when you pass away, so it’s vital to record your decision now, to avoid uncertainty further down the line.”
10 year celebration at the Senedd.
To celebrate the last 10 years, Kidney Wales worked with the South Wales Organ Donation team, and the NHSBT to deliver an event which took place at the Senedd, in Cardiff Bay.
Over 140 guests attended the day, bringing together the Organ Donation community across Wales, listening to a number of informational and inspiring talks.
Jo, who’s brother, Andrew, died suddenly but went on to donate his organs
Sonsare who was in palliative care but received a double lung transplant
Jamie, who received the gift of sight through a cornea donation, and
Julie who are both on kidney dialysis and on the waiting list for a kidney
James, a Kidney Wales Ambassador also spoke, sharing his lived experience of what it is like to be on the waiting list, have had a successful kidney transplant, which sadly then failed
Launch of Celebration Magazine & Living Donation Awareness
At the event Kidney Wales launched a celebration magazine, which focussed on raising awareness around living donation.
There are several pathways to becoming a living donor. You can donate directly to someone you know (directed donation) or to a complete stranger (altruistic or non-directed donation).
Pooled or paired donation, via the National Living Donor Sharing Scheme, is a great alternative if you’re not a direct match for your intended recipient, perhaps because of incompatible blood or tissue types. In this scheme your kidney will be given to someone else who is a good match and their intended donor will give the kidney to your recipient, like a ‘kidney swapping’ system.
“Just like deceased kidney donation, the benefits of living donation can be life-changing for people with kidney disease who need a transplant,” says Ross. “In most cases a kidney donated by a living donor offers the best long-term outcome for the recipient. A living donor lasts on average 20-25 years, sometimes longer, compared to a deceased donor kidney lasting 15-20 years. And a living donor kidney has a much higher chance of working straight away, because it’s come from someone who is fit and well, thanks to the thorough testing process that living donors undergo.”
For inspiration, and to meet Jude and Carla – two kidney patients whose stories of hope and determination are made even more remarkable, thanks to their living donor’s selfless decision, you can download the magazine here.
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