Public hearings for the inquiry into increasing the number of registered organ and tissue donors in Victoria have continued this week, coinciding with DonateLife Week.
The inquiry, organised and moderated by Victorian Legislative Assembly’s Legal and Social Issues Committee, has been hearing from relevant parties as they help to reduce many of the barriers preventing Victorians from registering as organ and tissue donors.
Nationals Member for Euroa Annabelle Cleeland, who is Deputy Chair of the Parliamentary Committee, said the hearings have provided valuable insight and advice for increasing the number of organ donors across the state.
“These hearings have been really eye-opening,” Ms Cleeland said.
“We’ve learnt that the barriers preventing organ and tissue donation extend much further than increasing the amount of registered people.
“There are so many logistical concerns, particularly in regional areas, such as increasing the amount of donor specialists and ensuring hospitals have suitable facilities to carry out a transplant.
“Unfortunately, Victoria has a 52 per cent consent rate, one of the lowest in the country despite having the largest amount of transplant recipients. On top of that we have a declining consent rate nation-wide, so it really is an important issue to address.
“Registering as an organ donor can provide someone with the ultimate gift, saving their life.”
The hearings this week coincided with DonateLife Week, a week dedicated to encouraging more Australians to register to be an organ and tissue donor.
As part of the week’s message, DonateLife has been asking for the community to do two things:
- Register as an organ or tissue donor now at http://donatelife.gov.au or with just 3 easy taps in your Medicare app.
- Don’t forget to tell your family you want to be a donor, someone’s life may depend on it.
Hearings will continue on Monday, July 31, with the committee set to hear from Department of Health and the German National Bone Marrow Donor Registry.
