21st February, 2005

Every Australian household will soon receive an organ donation consent form under new a plan to increase organ donation rates.

The plan follows a decision by health ministers to change the Australian Organ Donation Register so that it is based on legal consent rather than intent.

At present families must give their consent for organs to be removed for transplant even if a person has put their name on the Organ Donation Register. The changes mean relatives will only be able to stop harvesting if they are strongly opposed.

Speaking at the launch of Australian Organ Donor Awareness Week in Melbourne last week, Mr Abbott said Australia’s annual organ donation rate was among the lowest in the world with about 10 donations for every million people in the population.

Last year 783 people received transplants in Australia from 218 organ donors including cricketer David Hookes. Close to 2,000 Australians are waiting for a transplant at any one and many die on transplant waiting lists.

From April every Australian household will be sent a letter inviting them to register their consent at a single national register.

For more information call 1800 777 203 or visit www.hic.gov.au/organ.

- DAVID ADAMS