Veto of organ donation could go

Donor support group GiveLife NZ spokesman Andy Tookey has lobbied for the past four years to ensure there are more donors.

Mr Tookey has drafted legislation with National's health spokeswoman Jacqui Blue to update current legislation.

The bill, called The Human Tissue (Organ Donation) Amendment Bill 2006, was entered into the parliamentary ballot last Friday.

"People need to consider their mortality. Once you're dead, you're dead; and organ donation is a big problem in New Zealand," Mr Tookey said.

He is pushing to establish a register, not just for those with a driver licence, to record the individual's legally binding wish to donate organs, or not to donate.

The current system of recording details on licences is only an indicator of a person's wishes. It is not legally binding, and family members can veto the decision.

Mr Tookey is also pushing for a public awareness campaign on organ donation.

If the bill is drawn out of the bi-monthly ballot and passed by Parliament, the law would change so that no one could overturn the wish of a donor, including next of kin, Mr Tookey said.

"There are more than 400 people awaiting transplants (www.donor.co. nz). However, there are currently 2000 people on dialysis machines with faulty kidneys. It doesn't add up."

The bill would allow those aged 18 and over to register as donors.

"I am confident Parliament will pass the bill. But it might be drawn from the ballot in two months or two years. It is just the luck of the draw."

Though Maori and Pacific peoples preferred to leave deceased bodies intact, they needed transplants the most, Mr Tookey said.

"What is required is a public awareness campaign. Education is the key. Often there is a mistrust for the medical profession.

"People are trying to sit their licence, not thinking about whether they want to donate organs or not."

He believes people should be given the option to select the type of organ they want to donate.

"It is hard to ask a grieving family whether they want their deceased to donate," he said.

Mr Tookey suggests GPs note donor status on patient records.

Organ Donor New Zealand donor coordinator Janice Langlands says many people are unsuitable for organ donation, even if they want to donate.

Currently, only patients from intensive care units can donate.

Ms Langlands agrees a limited number of ICU beds available in New Zealand affects the number of donors.

"We would prefer the family were comfortable with the decision to donate, particularly at such a stressful time. . ."