More Tasmanians Talking about Organ and Tissue Donation

View by date:

• April
  • January
  • February
  • March
  • April
  • May
  • June
  • July
  • August
  • September
  • October
  • November
  • December

• 2013
  • 2013
  • 2012
  • 2011
  • 2010
  • 2009
  • 2008
  • 2007
  • 2006
  • 2005
  • 2004

PDF printable version of More Tasmanians Talking about Organ and Tissue Donation (PDF 38 KB)

27 September 2011

Tasmanian families were today thanked by the Parliamentary Secretary for Health and Ageing, Catherine King, for their increased family discussion and knowledge of each others’ organ and tissue donation wishes.

“New research by the Organ and Tissue Authority shows that 65 per cent of Tasmanians know the donation wishes of their loved ones – a significant lift on the national average of 57 per cent”, said Ms King.

Family knowledge of each others’ donation decisions is critical to increasing family consent rates. In Australia, family consent is always sought before donation can proceed.

Ms King was speaking at the Royal Hobart Hospital today, where she met with three-year-old Sophie Chilcott who received a life-saving liver transplant in July this year.

“Sophie now has a bright future thanks to the courage of a family who had agreed to their loved one becoming an organ donor, a decision taken at a very difficult time which resulted in a second chance at life for Sophie”, said Ms King.

“In the past 12 months, six Tasmanian donors, including four donors at the Royal Hobart Hospital have resulted in life-saving and life-improving transplants for Australians in need.”

Ms King also met with DonateLife Tasmania and Royal Hobart Hospital staff who play a key role in the implementation of the National Reform Agenda to increase organ and tissue donation rates in Australia.

In 2010, the first full year of implementation of the reform agenda, Australia achieved its highest organ donation and transplantation outcomes since national records began, with 309 organ donors resulting in life-saving transplants for 931 Australians.

“Australia has so far this year achieved its highest organ donation rate of 231 organ donors and its highest transplant recipient outcome of 688 transplant recipients for the same period in any year since national records began. This compares to 201 organ donors and 600 transplant recipients for the same period, January – August, in 2010.

“This is an encouraging result but there is much more to be done to not only sustain but build on the increases in donation outcomes in Australia.

“As we work to normalise organ and tissue donation as part of end of life care, it is important that all Tasmanians discover the facts about organ and tissue donation, make and register their informed decision on the Australian Organ Donor Register and, most importantly, discuss their donation wishes with family members,” Ms King said.

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