Health ministers take new steps on organ donation

23 April 2004
ABB045/04

Health ministers take new steps on organ donation

Australian health ministers have today agreed to change organ donation legislation to reflect the expressed wishes of donors in the event of death.

At the Australian Health Ministers' Conference in Canberra today all states and territories agreed that the wishes of an organ donor should be respected.

Health ministers agreed that Organ Donation legislation should clearly state that the express wishes of the deceased should be given effect and that there not be any need to seek consent from the family at the time of the donation if the persons donor status is known.

Health ministers also agreed that respect should be paid where the family actively opposed the donation from a person on the organ donor register. Ministers agreed that guidelines need to prepared to deal with this situation.

"I am pleased that state and territory health ministers have agreed to this very important step. Organ donation rates in Australia are among the lowest in the world and around 2000 people are currently on waiting lists for organ donation. The commitment given by the states and territories to strengthen organ donation legislation will save lives," Tony Abbott said.

Last year, there were 625 successful transplants from 179 donors but more than 140 Australians died waiting for a transplant.

Importantly, health ministers today also agreed that increasing organ donation rates should be a national priority.

There are currently almost 5 million people on the Australian Organ Donor Register. I am confident the cooperation and support of the state and territory governments will lead to more Australians registering to become organ donors. I will also be ensuring that the information on the register is accurate and up to date.

To sign on to save a life, register online at www.hic.gov.au/organ or call 1800 777 203 or pick up a registration form at any Medicare office.

For more information call Mr Abbott's office on ph 02 6277 7220.