It is a fairly common request for a Will to include a statement in regards to organs being donated for transplant after a person’s death. Law firm Watkins and Gunn, who has offices in Cardiff, Newport and Pontypool, say around 1 in 10 people include their organ donation decision in their Will.

However, it’s likely to be far too late for you to become a donor by the time your Will is read.

Only 1% of the population die in a way that means they can donate because organs have to be transplanted very soon after death and can only be donated by someone who has died in a hospital, under particular conditions. 

Specialist Nurses for Organ Donation will check to see whether an individual is on the NHS Organ Donor Register, and in addition, the family of a potential donor will always be consulted.

However, if individuals don’t tell their family of their decision to donate, the family may not honour that decision and over-ride the organ donor registration, or not support deemed consent. 

Health Secretary Vaughan Gething Said:

“This Dying Matters week, dying, death and bereavement are being brought to the fore and gives us an opportunity to remind people about organ donation. 

“Our latest campaign highlighted the importance of having a chat with families and loved ones about organ donation. I’d like to reiterate that message by asking solicitors and those providing a Will writing service to remind their clients to discuss their decisions, whatever they may be, with their loved ones. 

“More often than not, when a Will is read, people’s organ donation decisions are known too late to help someone in need of a life changing transplant. 

“Ensure your decision to give the gift of life through organ donation is honoured – have the chat with your family and loved ones.”

Watkins and Gunn is encouraging people to discuss these concerns early to avoid issues arising after death. Linda Dack, Head of Private Client at Watkins and Gunn said: 

“Many of us find it difficult to talk about end of life planning, but it is essential that we have these important conversations with our loved ones and do not leave important decisions, such as organ donation to chance. Relatives can still override deemed consent system in Wales, so it is very important to be clear about your choice regarding organ donation so that relatives can honour your decision. 

“Making a Will is the first step, and at Watkins and Gunn we have noticed an increase of 5% in clients expressing what they would like to happen to their organs. Completing a Lasting Power of Attorney for Health and Welfare is essential, as well as appointing an attorney that you trust to carry out your wishes on life sustaining treatment preferences. We would encourage people to speak openly about their decision on organ donation as part of that process.”

You can register a decision at any time by calling 0300 123 23 23 (Calls to this phone line will be answered by NHS Blood and Transplant) or visiting www.organdonationwales.org or by telling your family (and friends).

Global technology company, Thales which provides solutions for the aerospace, defence, transportation, space and security markets, is seeking Welsh Government support for a programme that would see it establishing a new National Digital Exploitation Centre (NDEC) in Ebbw Vale.

Thales plans to work with the Welsh Government, Blaenau Gwent Council and the University of South Wales in establishing the centre which would act as a catalyst for digital and cyber educational training and research facilities.

Economy Secretary, Ken Skates said: 

I am pleased to confirm that the Welsh Government is in discussion with Thales about their plans to establish a National Digital Exploitation Centre as part of our Tech Valleys project.

The centre, which would be located in Ebbw Vale, could help Wales exploit the global opportunities of digital transformation and equip our businesses with the skills and knowledge they need to win a greater share of large regional and national projects.

It could also serve to stimulate and create employment in high value technology businesses which is an ambition that is right at the heart of our Tech Valleys project. 

The Welsh Government is currently assessing Thales’s proposal for the centre.

Gareth Williams, vice-president of Thales UK’s security and cyber business, said:

We are delighted that the Welsh Government is keen to work with industry and academia on developing this critical capability and skillset within Wales.

One of the major benefits of this digital centre is to develop a talent pipeline of people in this increasingly important sector. As well as developing specific skills, it will also enable businesses – large and small – to use digital transformation in a safe and secure way.

By their very nature, digital and cyber security are constantly evolving and this centre will play an important role in that. We also have an established partnership with the University of South Wales and that is allowing us to conduct invaluable research into the future of cyber security.

The NDEC’s research capability and educational outreach is being developed in partnership with the University of South Wales, a strategic partner of Thales UK and founder of the National Cyber Security Academy in Newport.  

Professor Julie Lydon OBE, USW’s Vice Chancellor and Chief Executive, said:

This centre would be a significant step in developing South Wales’s reputation as a leading region in the growing global market for cyber graduates and research knowledge. We want the centre to harness the academic research and graduate education together with the market insight and technological capability of industry. It’s an exciting combination that would be good for our local communities, for Wales, and for UK plc.

The Tech Valleys project in Blaenau Gwent is part of the wider Ministerial Taskforce for the South Wales Valleys, which was set up by the Welsh Government to deliver real change for the South Wales Valleys; create good-quality jobs, closer to people’s homes; improve people’s skills and bring prosperity to all.

A month long anti-littering campaign using electronic signing on trunk roads across Wales has been in place to encourage road users to think wisely about disposing of waste.

A group of six workers can cost more than £1,000 a night to clear litter from a 2km stretch of trunk road and roadside, whilst the cost of a lane closure to do so is in excess of £2,600 a night.

Under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, the Welsh Government is responsible for litter picking and debris removal on the M4, M48, A48(M) and the section between Llanddulas and Conwy Morfa on the A55. Local authorities are responsible for litter picking, debris removal and the provision and emptying of bins on the remaining trunk roads and local road network.

Economy and Transport Secretary Ken Skates said: 

“Whilst the vast majority of people do the right thing and carry litter in their vehicles until they find a bin to dispose of it appropriately, there are unfortunately others that don’t. 

“Littering on our roads can be costly and have far reaching implications, from impacting on our economy to blighting our environment and putting the safety of other motorists at risk. Frustratingly, it also means lane closures are required for litter picks which is something we all want to avoid seeing on our network unless absolutely necessary. 

“We receive a number of complaints about litter on the road network and while we work closely with local authorities to coordinate litter picking activities, this is an issue where we all have an important role to play. I urge everyone to play their part and by working together towards the same goal we can help ensure our roads and roadsides are safer, tidier and litter free.”

Environment Minister Hannah Blythyn said: 

“Disposing of litter responsibly helps keep our roads safe and clean. We support local authorities and organisations such as Keep Wales Tidy to help create a cleaner, more pleasant environment for us all to live in. But by simply taking litter home and recycling it or putting in the bin, we can all do our bit, not just for our environment, but also our economy.”

Menai Science Park (M-SParc), which is situated within the Anglesey Enterprise Zone, brings together business from the ICT, science and research sectors, encouraging knowledge sharing and a creative, supportive environment to help businesses grow.

As part of Bangor University, M-SParc bridges the gap between cutting edge academic research and businesses. The park’s 30-year vision is based on creating highly skilled jobs for local people, developing a knowledge-sharing environment and creating an economic hub in sectors such as low carbon, energy and environment and ICT.

The 5000 sq. mt. three-storey science park, constructed to BREEAM Excellence standards, hosts a state-of-the-art laboratory, office and workshop space, and meeting rooms – as well as a café where employees from across the science park and students from Bangor University can meet to share knowledge and ideas.

Officially opening the science park, First Minister Carwyn Jones said:

“This cutting edge science park, supported with £20m of Welsh Government and European funding, is an excellent example of collaboration between Welsh Government and Bangor University – working together to drive innovation, entrepreneurship and business growth.

“It is great to see local businesses and companies from further afield choosing M-SParc as their business base. It is a facility that is full of energy and innovation, supported by an enthusiastic team who work with tenants to help their businesses grow.

“The science park offers a unique mix of business support, commercial expertise and academic support. I look forward to this successful combination continuing to bring more top companies and well paid jobs to North Wales.”

During the event, Managing Director for M-SParc Pryderi ap Rhisiart said:

“We want to attract the brightest and the best from the region, that’s what M-SParc is all about. At the moment, Wales loses companies who outgrow their facilities, and have to go across the border to relocate, M-SParc aims to stop this. Many of the businesses are local, but we also have some inward investment, and some new companies who are establishing themselves on M-SParc.” 

Prof. John G. Hughes, University Vice Chancellor said

“We work together with companies to ensure spin-outs and commercial research from the University can find a home at M-SParc. It is encouraging to see the uptake this early on, and the aim now will be to continue to support companies based at M-SParc, and encourage graduates to see that there are prospects in North Wales, and high-level jobs are being created in the region.”

Welsh Government is investing £15.5m in the Northern Access Road (NAR), which will be an essential part of the highway network leading to the St Athan and Cardiff Airport Enterprise Zones.  

In addition to providing the necessary access to the airside business park, the design has incorporated environmental defence works to help protect the villages of Llanmaes and Boverton from flooding.

Constructed by Alun Griffiths Contractors Ltd, the NAR will be 2km of an entirely new section, tying in to the existing Eglwys Brewis road and the B4265. It has been developed to take traffic away from St Athan and the Eglwys Brewis road, creating an improved local environment and a safer route for children to walk to school.

Cutting the turf to mark the start of the work, Transport Secretary Ken Skates said:

“Unconstrained vehicular access to the Aerospace Business Park is essential to allow it to compete on an international stage and maximise the economic benefits that come with such increased exposure.

“The Northern Access Road provides the business park with a fit for purpose access to major highway routes for vehicles of all sizes, including logistic.  The new road will be able to accommodate successful future growth and the route is sympathetic to needs identified in the area’s Local Development Plan.

“This one project fulfils three equally important roles, and I am pleased Welsh Government has been able to invest in it.”

Alun Smith, a Director of Alun Griffiths (Contractors) Ltd said:

“We are delighted to have been successful in our bid to assist Welsh Government in providing the improvements in infrastructure around the St Athan area, which will allow the Aerospace Business Park to be developed to its full potential. The project team are fully committed to completing the scheme within time and budget, despite having to resolve some challenging circumstances along the way. Our primary concern as always is to complete the project safely and with as little disruption to the local residents and travelling public as possible.”

Cllr John Thomas, Leader of the Vale of Glamorgan Council, said:

“The momentum behind the Vale’s economic development continues to grow and this project is just one of a number that will drive prosperity in the area over the coming years. Effective transport links will be vital to the success of the business park and the wider enterprise zone in general. This scheme will also bring great benefits to local residents by taking traffic away from the surrounding villages and giving local children safer walking routes to schools. I am delighted that the preparatory work has now been completed and construction can now start as planned.”

Advance works commenced in January with top soil strip, along with the installation of site fencing and archaeological investigation works. Some minor historic finds were discovered as part of the investigation, but nothing so significant that would cause delay to the start of planned construction, with completion predicted in Autumn 2019.