HOW CAN AUSTRALIA IMPROVE ORGAN DONOR RATES?

All of the 80 odd organisations that are involved in the sector have mulled over this question for many years.  About two years ago there was a concerted effort from a range of individuals and organisations; culminating in recognition by the Australian Government that immediate action was necessary.

Following consultation, a plan that involved the identification and development of a nationally consistent program drawing on world’s best practice was announced by the Prime Minister.  At the time of the introduction of the legislation, the Prime Minister, Minister for Health, Parliamentary Secretary for Health and other politicians recorded their appreciation to the many groups and individuals who had contributed to this work.

First and foremost was the Department of Health & Ageing – Professor John Horvath led the development of the program.  He was ably assisted by staff in the Department who were able to draw on the knowledge and expertise of key groups including, but not limited to:

• National Clinical Task Force on Organ & Tissue Donation & Transplantation
• Gift of Life
• Transplant Australia
• Zaidee’s Rainbow Foundation
• ShareLife

There was considerable celebration and enthusiasm once the announcement was made.  During 2009, the new Australian Organ & Tissue Donation and Transplant Authority (‘the Authority) was established.  While it commenced duty on 1 January 2009, its full complement of staff was not achieved until later in the year.  The network of DonateLife agencies was launched by the Prime Minister in November 2009 and all jurisdictions now have a DonateLife agency that is working to the common protocols and practices that have been identified as world’s best practice.

We are starting to see the improvements in organ and tissue donation.  New South Wales is at the forefront of these improvements.  It improved its donor rate in the second half of 2009 and in the first quarter of 2010.  This is an important milestone as, unfortunately, our largest jurisdiction has also been our poorest performing jurisdiction.  Indeed, for the first quarter of 2010, Australia has had an unprecedented improvement in organ donor rates.

We know that change cannot occur overnight.  This is a long term project and one that is showing gradual improvement.  We must continue to work together to improve organ donor rates.  Unfortunately, there are still some areas of the sector who continue to push their own barrow, at the expense of the sector.  We heard the former Governor General, His Excellency Major General Michael Jeffries, speak on Radio National on 3 May 2010 about removing fiefdoms.  He spoke at length about people protecting their own patch.  The Authority introduced a national communications charter as part of its initial work and a majority of organisations in the sector, including Gift of Life, have signed onto the charter.  We are working cooperatively with the same messaging and branding.  What a pity that some in the sector continue to push their own plans at the expense of others.  What is more upsetting is the criticism of the stunning work already undertaken across Australia by clinicians and volunteers to get a nationally consistent program up and running.  Bureaucrats in particular are an easy pot shot:  they’re not to comment on these sorts of criticisms, but continue to work night and day to support improvements in the sector.

Gift of Life hopes that all in the sector will get on board the national program of reform and support this significant effort.