LAUNCH OF DONATELIFE ACT

To mark the start of Australian Organ Donor Awareness Week, ACT Health Minister, Katy Gallagher MLA has launched the new DonateLife ACT offices at a function at the Canberra Hospital.

The ACT's new specialist workforce of highly trained doctors and nurses is also now in place to support organ and tissue donation.

The ACT Government has opened six new offices on the Canberra Hospital campus and will make another office in the hospital available to families and volunteers who are seeking more information about DonateLife ACT.

"DonateLife ACT is part of the DonateLifeTM Network- a national network of agencies and hospital staff dedicated to improving organ and tissue donation rates," Ms Gallagher said.

The DonateLifeTM Network is the cornerstone of the Australian Government's four year $151.1 million national reform agenda, which involves more than 300 health professionals focused on organ and tissue donation nationally. DonateLife ACT has nine dedicated staff working with ACT health professionals.

"The aim is to ensure that donation is a part of end-of-life patient care and that all potential donors are identified and their families asked about donation in a respectful and compassionate way and supported in making their decision," Ms Gallagher said.

"Last year the ACT and surrounding regions had 62 donors. So far this year we have had 9 donors, 4 of whom were multi-organ donors. We currently have 51,800 residents who have registered as donors.

"These figures demonstrate the generosity of the donors and their families and the dedication of our medical staff in making the gift of donation possible," she said.

Discover, Decide, Discuss is DonateLife's key theme. To discover more about organ and tissue donation, what to do when you decide to become a potential donor, and suggestions on how to discuss your wishes with your family visit http://www.donatelife.gov.au/

Media Contact:

Kathryn Roberts
6205 0242
0402 399 907
kathryn.roberts@act.gov.au