Changes to the organ donation law: What the future may hold for Wales

Tomorrow Wales takes a radical new step in organ donation. From midnight we will have an opt-out system meaning we have to register our wish not to be an organ donor.

  • Opt in: You can opt in and join the organ donor register

  • Opt out: You can opt out and say you're not prepared to have your organs donated

  • Do nothing: Or you can do nothing - where it's then presumed you're happy to donate.

The Welsh Government think hundreds of lives could be saved. For years ministers have studied other countries with the same system one of them is Belgium and that's where our health and social affairs correspondent Rob Osborne has been. In the first of two special reports he looks at what the future may hold for Wales.

A soft-opt out system for organ donation has been in place in Belgium for the last 30 years. Credit: ITV News

After the new law came in Belgium saw a massive rise in available organs. The number of Kidneys available went up 86% in a year.

Out of a population of 11 million in Belgium, fewer than 200,00 people say they do not wish to donate their organs.

Read More: 'My lung transplant was the best thing that happened to me'

International evidence suggests Wales could see a 30% increase in the donation rate. Credit: ITV News

Watch Rob Osborne's report:

Read More: Faith groups debate changes to organ donation law in Wales