THE WELSH Government today set out a draft bill on organ donation, which will deem every adult in Gwent has consented to donating their organs unless they expressly opt out of doing so.

The draft Human Transplantation (Wales) Bill will pave the way for what the Welsh government term a "soft opt-out system of organ donation" in Wales, on which they have already consulted.

The new system would give people three choices; to opt in, to opt out, and those who choose to do neither will be deemed to have given their consent.

It was stated at the launch of the bill, at the Cardiff International Athletics Stadium in Leckwith, that the new system would create around 15 more donors a year in Wales, equating to about 45 new organs for transplants.

Dr Chris Jones, Medical Director of NHS Wales, who has been advising the Welsh Government, said: "The new system will create more donors which will allow us to save more lives and improve the lives of those in need of transplants."

Dr Jones also said he hoped the new system would encourage people to talk more about their choices in regard to organ donation and that families as a consequence would have a clearer idea of what their loved ones’ wishes were in regard to organ donation.

It was also stated the system would make economic sense as government officials said one extra donor would pay for the entire system. This was because the patient would no longer need things like hospital care or dialysis treatment.

The bill will now be in a consultation phase before it is debated on in the Assembly before the end of the year. If passed the new system would come into force in 2015, following a two year £2.5 million education and awareness programme.

Health Minister, Lesley Griffiths, said: "We are seeking a change in the law to increase the number of organ and tissue donors and to save lives.

"One donor can improve or save the lives of up to nine other people by donating their organs and many more through the donation of their tissues."