Organ Donation Reform on Track for Continued Growth

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PDF printable version of Organ Donation Reform on Track for Continued Growth (PDF 30 KB)

The Parliamentary Secretary for Health and Ageing, Catherine King, today released a mid point implementation review of Australia’s efforts to increase organ and tissue donation rates and has agreed in principle to the opportunities for further improvements identified in the report.

The report, Mid-Point Implementation Review Report of the National Reform Package – A World’s Best Practice Approach to Organ and Tissue Donation, was commissioned by the Parliamentary Secretary to evaluate the implementation of its National Reform Agenda.

Ms King, said the report found that overall the National Reform Agenda, endorsed by COAG, had achieved notable success by the end of 2010, though the progress in implementation of each of the nine measures of the reform agenda has varied.

“The report notes the important building blocks achieved in the first phase of implementation of the reform agenda, including the establishment of the Organ and Tissue Authority (the Authority) and the laying of strong foundations in hospitals through the formation of the DonateLife Network,” Ms King said.

“This was complemented by educating Australians about the need to discuss and know family members’ donation wishes.

“The report notes that there are clear scores on the board,” Ms King said.

The review follows the first full year of implementation of the National Reform Agenda during which time Australia achieved its highest organ donation and transplantation outcomes since national records began.

In 2010, Australia achieved a 25% increase in deceased organ donors and a 17% increase in transplant recipients compared to 2009, with 309 deceased organ donors resulting in life-saving and life-improving transplants for 931 Australians.

“Australia continues to build on the strong outcomes achieved in 2010, with 231 organ donors having saved or improved the lives of 688 people by the end of August this year,” Ms King said.

“This represents a 15% increase in deceased organ donors and in transplant recipients on the same eight month period in 2010.”

Ms King said the review, which widely canvassed the views of stakeholders, identified perceptions that start-up issues of staffing, operational style and strategic intent at the Authority had affected the initial implementation of some of the reform measures.

“All stakeholders describe these issues as being largely in the past. There is now a strong sense that the Authority and its leaders are on track.

“The report also reaffirms the Organ and Tissue Authority’s stated focus for this next phase of implementation - driving and embedding clinical practice reform to better facilitate organ donation in our hospitals – as being key to continued growth in donation rates.

Ms King said the Government will continue to work with the Authority to further implement the National Reform Agenda in partnership with state and territory governments and other key stakeholders.

A copy of the Mid-Point Implementation Review report and the government’s response is available at www.donatelife.gov.au.

For all inquiries, contact the Parliamentary Secretary's office 02 6277 4230