Increasing Rates of Deceased Organ Donation: Summary of submissions

There were 100 submissions received on the Increasing Rates of Deceased Organ Donation: Consultation document.

Submissions were largely in favour of a comprehensive strategy to increase deceased organ donation. Several respondents reinforced the importance of a whole package, rather than picking and choosing elements. Many respondents also emphasised support for ensuring that any strategy was evidence-based and ethically sound.

Respondents generally agreed that the high-level elements of the strategy were about right. However, some submitters did not support a numerical target or goal.

Approximately half of individual respondents were in favour of a law change to presumed consent, and expressed concern that this was not considered as part of the strategy.

Most respondents who commented supported or partially supported the proposed functions for the national coordinating body. Although a few submitters said a narrow focus on increased donor numbers was inappropriate, and the success of the body should be measured more broadly.

Respondents were largely in favour of the national coordinating body developing, monitoring, and implementing a clinical governance framework.

The proposal for protected time for hospital-based clinical organ donation specialists was also generally supported, although support for ‘champions’ within the broader DHB was mixed.

Most respondents who expressed a view thought that it would be useful to have further specialist training for clinical staff in organ donation. Many respondents emphasised that any further training introduced needs to be tailored to reflect the cultural and clinical settings of New Zealand.

Responses in relation to public awareness and organ donor registers varied. Some respondents placed a high importance on public awareness, and a few showed strong support for a separate or binding organ donor register. Others said that public awareness efforts and donor registration should be a lower priority as they were not well evidenced as leading to increased rates of donation.

There were also responses related to funding, saying an increase in financial support and capacity in the donation and transplantation sector is required.