Organ donor register encouraged

Parliament's health committee today released a report on a register based on briefing from the Health Ministry on the issue.

"We recommend to the Government that it proceed to investigate the option of an indicative register that records organ donation wishes," the report said.

Such an investigation should be conducted independently of a review currently being conducted of the regulation of human tissue and tissue-based therapy.

That review includes the concept of presumed consent for organ donation, which would make all New Zealanders donors unless they officially opted out.

The committee also recommended that the Government conduct random sample research to gauge public awareness and attitudes towards all donation options and methods for recording preferences.

"The committee feels it is important that wider public opinion on this very personal issue is explored," committee chairwoman Steve Chadwick said in a statement.

The committee also recommended the Government review funding for Organ Donation New Zealand to ensure it covered community and family education.

"... we consider that one of the shortcomings of the current system is that it does not encourage active discussion about organ donation between potential donors and their families," Ms Chadwick said.

"We believe that community awareness and education is imperative in encouraging family discussion about organ donation."

Since 1993 the New Zealand donor rate has fluctuated between 34 and 46 donors a year but about 350 people are on waiting lists for organ transplants, mostly for kidneys. People can wait up to 30 months for an organ.