Page 1008 - Week 03 - Thursday, 10 March 2016
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I think that we all understand the importance of organ and tissue donation. Certainly, Ms Fitzharris was at the walk around the lake the other day. I am not sure if any other members were. I think maybe Mr Wall may have been. Ms Lawder was. But the importance of organ and tissue transplants has been spoken about in this place on many occasions since I have been here, also the lives that they can save and the betterment to people’s lives. I would welcome everything we can do to make that process simpler, improve it and make it more effective. As I said, the Canberra Liberals will be supporting this bill.
MR RATTENBURY (Molonglo) (5.33): The Greens support organ transplantation, and we have long campaigned for more voluntary organ donors, as we understand the importance of the organ donation scheme to those people who are suffering from life-threatening disease. We know that many lives are saved each year, perhaps even each month, due to the amazing organ transplantation technology and surgery that is now available.
This is a short and simple bill. It does only two things: firstly, it allows for the removal of whole organs, to the extent necessary, for the purpose of tissue transplantation. These provisions will allow for whole organs to be transplanted, which can help support viable transport, storage and transplantation of tissues.
Previously, the legislation prohibited this, as whole-organ transplant procedures are complex and high-risk procedures in cases where the removal of the organ is critical to the transplant outcome. For example, in cases such as only the heart valves being needed, it is more practical and better protection if the whole heart can be removed. In the current legislation, it is not clear whether this is permitted. This amendment clarifies this by allowing designated officers to remove all relevant musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, eye and skin tissue for the purpose of transplantation.
The ACT does not have capacity to process or store organs and tissues for transplant; so these organs and tissues need to be transported to a specialised sterile facility in NSW. Transporting the tissues as part of a whole organ helps to maintain the correct shape of the tissue and maintain sterility prior to collection.
The second area that this bill covers is the issue of early consent. The bill allows the coroner, prior to death of an intended organ donor, to direct that a coroner’s consent is not required to release the body for the purpose of organ or tissue donation. Currently, the coroner can provide consent only after the person has died. For the best outcome, organs must be harvested within five minutes after the person’s heart stops. If there are any issues with contacting the coroner, the organs may be collected too late for the best outcome or collection may not be viable. This provision will help to speed up the retrieval of organs and achieve the best outcome for the person receiving the organ or tissue transplant.
Allowing the coroner to advise, before the person dies, that the coroner’s consent is not required after the death for organ donation will not change the rights of the next of kin or any other person empowered to consent to the organ or tissue donation. They will still make the final decision about whether donation goes ahead. But it does mean that the retrieval of organs and tissues will be more timely and efficient.
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