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Organ Donation and Transplantation
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Circulars and Publications |
Review of Organ & Tissue Donation Sector
In 1997 the NSW government announced its commitment to provide annual funding
to create a state wide infrastructure for organ and tissue donation, incorporating
the Australian Red Cross Blood Service and nine Area Health Services. This
network is now called LifeLink
Organ and Tissue Donation Network NSW/ACT. Its aims are to optimise
organ and tissue donation for transplantation, raise community awareness
and provide follow up to donor families with bereavement services. LifeLink's
staff personally attend all hospitals, and act as advocates for the donor
and their family, ensuring that all legal, procedural and ethical requirements
are fulfilled and that the donor is always treated with dignity and respect.
Australians Donate Inc is
the peak national body for organ and tissue donation for transplantation. It is a non-profit incorporated association, funded by state and commonwealth
governments, and comprising organisations involved in organ and tissue donation
and transplantation. Members include state government-funded organ donation
agencies (such as LifeLink), independent tissue and eye banks, community
groups, clinicians, policy-makers, academics and ethicists.
The Australian
Organ Donor Register is the national organ and tissue donor register
for transplantation. It records people's intentions on organ and tissue
donation and can be accessed by authorised medical personnel at any time
of the day or night. Entry onto the Donor Register is voluntary. The registration
form is available through the
website or at Medicare offices.
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Review of the Organ and Tissue Donation Sector in NSW
The NSW Department of Health has conducted a review of the organ and tissue donation sector in NSW. The objectives of the review were to:
Examine and report on the current arrangements of Organ and Tissue donation services for transplantation; including the implementation of recommendations of previous reviews, governance, administration, funding and location of these services.
Determine the organisation of services in NSW that will best support the health system in meeting the Organ and Tissue transplantation needs of the community.
Currently, there are three main tissue banks - bone, eye and heart valve - and LifeLink Organ Donation Network NSW/ACT. These organisations work closely with the Area Health Services to support organ and tissue donation for transplantation, raise community awareness and provide follow up bereavement services for donor families.
Initial enquiries in relation to the Review should be directed to:
Bill Heiler
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NSW Health Publications
PD2005/341 (previously 2004/1) - Use and retention of human tissue including organ donation,
post-mortem examination and coronial matters
PD2005/394 (previously 2004/72) - Private cord blood banking
Liver
transplantation - selected specialty & statewide services plans
Links to relevant websites
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