Organ donation back on agenda

New legislation to improve organ donation rates has entered its next stage, with the public invited to have their say.

The Organ Donors and Related Matters Bill, which is currently before the health select committee, would enable the New Zealand Blood Service to take on the role of a national organ donation service.

Health Minister Dr David Clark, the MP in charge of the bill, said the new national agency in charge of organ donation would be independent of district health boards (DHBs).

‘‘The NZ Blood Service was viewed as a good fit and well positioned to take on the role.’’

Described as an omnibus bill, the legislation would also extend the financial compensation for qualifying donors, in certain situations, while they recuperate.

In 2018, there were 62 deceased donors who enabled 192 recipients to receive kidney, liver, lung, heart or pancreas transplants, with many more recipients receiving tissue transplants.

In 2013, the number of deceased organ donors was almost half that.

There were also 84 live donor kidney transplants and 2 live donor liver transplants.

‘‘While New Zealand’s organ donation rates are improving, they are still relatively low compared with other countries,’’ Clark said.

His bill was born out of national strategy talks in 2017, which set out a number of actions aimed at improving public awareness of donating, as well as ensuring effective clinical governance.

The NZ Blood Service would not answer questions about its role should the legislation pass, instead referring all queries on to the Ministry of Health.

A spokesperson for the ministry said the service had proven experience and credibility in public awareness, registry management, a focus on outcomes for consumers, as well as its existing relationship with DHBs and operational service management.

Public submissions on the bill close on May 16.