 In Wales, from 1 December 2015, the way we choose to be organ donors will change. What is organ donation? When we die, we might be able to give some of our organs to someone else. A lot of people in Wales are waiting for new organs because their own have stopped working properly. Organs that have been donated could be given to these people. This is called an organ transplant. What is changing and when? From 1 December 2015, the way we choose to be donors in Wales will change. The new system is called a soft opt-out system. Soft opt-out means that if you want to be an organ donor, then you don't have to do anything. Unless you make a decision not to be a donor, you'll be treated as if you want to be one. This is known as deemed consent. This is different from the current system which relies on people joining the NHS organ donor register or their families making the decision. What are my choices? I want to be an organ donor. You can register a decision to be an organ donor. Do nothing. You have no objection to becoming an organ donor. I don't want to be an organ donor. You can register a decision not to be an organ donor. Why do we need a soft opt-out system for organ donation? There is a big shortage of organs for transplants in Wales and across the UK. One reason for the shortage is only a few people die in a way that means they could become organ donors. This is usually in hospital intensive care units or emergency departments. Nine out of ten people in Wales agree with organ donation. But only three out of ten people have signed the NHS organ donor register. The new system will be clearer for everyone. If family members are approached about organ donation, they will know their loved one could have opted out but chose not to. We believe this could help increase the number of donors in Wales by 25%. Who does the soft opt-out system apply to? The soft opt-out system will apply to people who are over the age of 18 and have lived in Wales for over 12 months and die in Wales and haven't registered a decision on the NHS organ donor register. Are families involved in a soft opt-out system? Yes. If it became possible for you to donate, your family or friends would always be involved. This is why the system is called a soft opt-out. Families need to answer important questions about your medical history and if you normally lived in Wales. If they knew you did not want to be a donor, they would be able to say so. If family members or appointed representatives cannot be contacted, donation would not go ahead. What if I'm already on the NHS organ donor register? If you are already on the register, then you still have the same choices as everyone else. You can decide to stay on the NHS organ donor register. This will be treated as a decision to be a donor opt-in from 1 December 2015. Remove your record from the NHS organ donor register. From 1 December, you will be treated as having no objection to organ donation. Removing your name from the register is not the same as opting out. Want more information? Go to organdonationwales.org or call 0300 123 23 23 facebook.com forward slash organ donation Wales twitter.com forward slash org donation CYM If you need any additional information or support, please contact Wales Council for Deaf People. Voice 01443 485 687 Text 01443 485 686 Email mail at wcdeaf.org.uk