NEWPORT West MP Paul Flynn is to call on the UK Government to follow Wales’ example and introduce an opt-out organ donation system.

The Welsh Government introduced the law, which means everyone in Wales is assumed to have consented to their organs being transplanted after they die unless they specifically opt out, in December 2015.

And on Monday, January 16, veteran Labour MP Mr Flynn is to present a Private Member’s Bill calling on the UK Government to introduce a similar bill covering England.

Since the rules were introduced 39 people have received organs they would not otherwise have done.

Speaking in Parliament on Thursday, January 12 Mr Flynn said he was concerned by figures showing the UK has the lowest rate of organ donation in Europe.

“The motion draws attention to the huge success of the presumed consent to organ transplant in Wales,” he said.

“May I also urge the government to support the private Member’s Bill that will be presented on Monday that calls for the advantages of presumed consent to be spread to the rest of the United Kingdom?

“We now know that this is a practical law that is popular with the public and saves many lives.”

Figures have shown nine out of ten people in Wales support organ donation, but only three in ten were registered donors before the revamped rules were introduced.

Under the Welsh rules people can also nominate a representative, such as a family member or partner, to make a decision around their organs after their death.