The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has encouraged more people to register as organ donors and discuss their wishes with loved ones.
Mr Chester made the call as a new report showed the record level of deceased organ donors in 2016 was maintained in 2017.
“Last year, more than 10,000 lives were saved or improved as a result of the generosity of donors and their families,” Mr Chester said.
“It can be a difficult conversation to have with loved ones: whether you want to be an organ donor. But knowing a person wanted to donate their organs can save families unnecessary anguish.
“You can make your wishes clear by registering as an organ donor. If you are unsure, I would encourage you to read more about organ donation so you can make an informed decision.”
The Minister with responsibility for the Organ and Tissue Authority, Ken Wyatt AM, said the 2017 Australian Donation and Transplantation Activity Report noted 510 deceased organ donors and their families, and 273 living donors, saved and improved the lives of 1,675 Australians. A further 9,600 Australians benefited from eye and tissue transplants.
“In 2017, the number of transplant recipients from deceased organ donors under the national program since system reforms began in 2009 passed the 10,000 mark,” Minister Wyatt said.
“This has been achieved through the generosity of 3,464 deceased organ donors and their families, together with improvements in the health system’s donation capacity and capability.
“The reforms have seen the number of deceased organ donors more than double and the number of Australians receiving a transplant increase by 75 per cent. This is clear progress but there is much more to be done.”
The introduction in July of simplified, online donor registration was a significant milestone, designed to increase Australia’s consent rate, which remained around 60 per cent in 2017. A rate of 70 per cent would place Australia in the world’s top 10 performing nations.
“Lifting our national consent rate is fundamental to saving more lives through transplantation,” Minister Wyatt said. “This can be achieved by increasing the number of people on the Australian Organ Donor Register, and by ensuring the issue of donation is always discussed with families by trained donation specialists in our hospitals.
“The community is a vital partner in our efforts to continue to save and improve more lives. With 1,400 Australians waitlisted at any one time for a transplant, and a further 11,000 people on dialysis, it is crucial that all Australians register and share their donation decision.”
Instant online organ donor registration is available at https://register.donatelife.gov.au/