More than 120 lives have been saved in the past year as the number of South Australians consenting to organ donation reaches record levels.
Minister for Health and Wellbeing Stephen Wade said that there has been a 44 per cent increase in donors since 2018 in South Australia, with more families making the decision to donate their loved one’s organs.
“Through this generosity, 52 South Australians saved the lives of 122 people on the organ recipient waitlist, giving them the ultimate gift of life,” Minister Wade said.
“Organ donation is front-of-mind for many selfless South Australians. As a result, our consent rate is the highest in the nation at 74 per cent, compared to a national consent rate of 62 per cent.
“Our hospitals have improved the donation process, giving families earlier access to donation specialists to guide them through what can be a very emotional time.
“I encourage everyone to speak with their loved ones about organ donation and make their wishes known.”
Medical Director of DonateLife SA, Dr Stewart Moodie, said SA is the only state where individuals can register on the national Australian Organ Donor Registry with their driver’s licence.
“The South Australian registration rate is 70 percent, which is the highest in the country compared to the national average of 34 per cent,” Dr Moodie said.
“The implementation of the End-of-Life Service at the Royal Adelaide Hospital and Lyell McEwin Health Service allows health professionals, including donation specialist nursing coordinators, medical specialists, and transplant and tissue staff, to work together to identify potential donors and support families through a time of grief.
“We are extremely grateful to all donor families for honouring the wishes of their loved ones, to help save others’ lives.”
Across the country, 1,444 people received life-saving transplants transplant from 548 deceased organ donors in 2019.
The full 2019 Australian Donation and Transplantation Activity Report can be found at www.donatelife.com.au
To register as an organ and tissue donor visit www.donatelife.gov.au/register-donor-today.
