Support for organ opt-out scheme

Around 780,000 people are currently on the organ donor register in Wales.

Nearly half of those surveyed by a Welsh assembly committee say they would like their organs taken automatically after their death to save a life.

The health and wellbeing committee is investigating whether Wales should adopt a system of presumed consent for organ donation.

Committee chair Jonathan Morgan says he wants the public's views to taken into account along with expert evidence.

About 470 people in Wales are waiting for an organ transplant.

Transplant charities want Wales to lead the way in adopting a system where organs would be taken from people following their death unless they had opted out beforehand.

A total of 48% of those who responded as part of the consultation said they would like their organs to be removed automatically to help save or improve someone else's life.

Lives transformed

Another 24% said they would rather put their name on a register, or carry a donor card.

12% said they would prefer their loved ones to decide and only 11% would not want their organs removed at all.

The committee will agree its report in coming weeks, and the Welsh Assembly Government is also examining whether it should introduce the system here.

Around 780,000 people are currently on the organ donor register in Wales.

During the last five years more than 750 lives have been transformed by a transplant, but more than 150 people - one every fortnight - have died before a donor could be found.

A number of charities, including Kidney Wales Foundation, the British Heart Foundation, British Liver Trust, Diabetes UK Cymru and RNIB Cymru, are taking part in the campaign Donate Wales - Tell a Loved One campaign which encourages people to talk more about organ donation.