Organ donors want decision respected 
   
 
One News Colmar Brunton poll: April 04
 
Apr 27, 2004

The results of a nationwide survey show that most New Zealanders want the right to make their own choice about donating organs when they die, without their families overriding their wishes.

A One News Colmar Brunton poll has found that 80% of 1000 people surveyed believe they should have the final say about what happens to their own organs when they die.

But the survey result is out of step with common medical practice.

Stephen Purvis along with many other New Zealanders had indicated he wanted to be a donor.

When Stephen passed away his wife, Lisa was surprised to discover she had the right to overrule his decision to donate his organs.

While the Human Tissue Act 1964 allows the use of organs and tissue solely with the prior consent of the brain dead person, in practice doctors are unwilling to use organs and tissue without the consent of next of kin.

Lisa decided not to override her husband's wishes and Stephen's heart, liver and lungs gave three people a second chance at life.

New Zealand's organ donation rates are among the lowest in the world and there are fears that legislation surrounding donor status may have something to do with it.

There are fears that the option to bypass the dead person's wishes is happening too often, contributing to New Zealand's alarmingly low organ and tissue donation rates.

Since 1993 donation rates have fluctuated between 34 and 46 donors per year, while as many as 350 New Zealanders are on waiting lists for organ transplantation.

But doctors say it is rare for families to reject their relative's wishes.

Dr Peter Hicks of the intensive care society says: "It's a very difficult time, a very emotional time, but they (family members) eventually are able to come to some understanding of what the person will want."

The government is currently reviewing the legislation which governs organ donation.

Options being considered include: Changing the rules to presume all people consent to donation unless they have specifically objected to it; letting the donor have the final say; requiring all New Zealanders to register their decision to donate; or sticking with the current law.

All of the issues will be up for discussion at a series of public meetings around New Zealand starting at Westpac Trust Stadium in Wellington on Tuesday.