ORGAN donations from donors who had died increased in Wales last year - but there has been a rise too in the number of people waiting for a transplant, a report reveals.

And the NHS Blood and Transport (NHSBT) Organ Donation and Transplantation Activity Report for 2014 also shows that the rate of consent in Wales fell to 48.5 per cent, compared to the previous year's 53.6 per cent.

This will be a concern, given that the move to a new opt-out system of organ donation will be introduced in Wales in less than five months' time, on December 1.

In 2014/15, there were 73 deceased organ donors from Wales, compared to 60 the previous year, but there was an overall fall in the number of transplants carried out, 173 compared to 209 in 2013/14.

The Welsh Government is stressing that, with the numbers involved in organ donation in Wales being small, modest annual fluctuations can appear to show considerable changes.

It highlights reasons why organ donation numbers fluctuate as depending on a range of factors, including the referral of potential donors and whether families are approached about organ donation.

The total number of patients registered for a transplant residing in Wales has increased slightly, with 220 patients waiting for a transplant at the end of March this year, with a further 141 people temporarily suspended from transplant lists.

A key factor for suspension is that a patient may not be currently well enough to undergo an operation to receive a donor organ.

“Many people in Wales have had discussions with their families about their organ donation wishes and this is good news. However, as recent figures show, we must remain focused about increasing the donation rate so more people can receive life saving transplants," said health minister Mark Drakeford.

“Nine out of 10 people in Wales support organ donation, but only only three out of 10 people in Wales have put their names on the Organ Donor Register.

“In the last year, 12 people in Wales died while waiting for a transplant. I want to encourage everyone in Wales to talk about organ donation so we can ensure that fewer people die while waiting for an organ.

"I want to encourage a culture change in Wales, so that talking about organ donation is normal and that families discuss donation and are confident they know their loved ones’ wishes.

“We will be changing the organ donation law on December 1 and moving to an opt-out system for consent – our campaign to encourage everyone to talk to their families will help to bring about this change.”