Just one year after the launch of DonateLife NSW on the North Coast there has been a positive impact on both notifications of organ donors and organ donations.
State Medical Director, Dr Jonathan Gillis and State Nurse Manager, Ellie McCann for DonateLife NSW visited Tweed Hospital today to recognise the improvement in organ donation in the North Coast and the important contribution that the North Coast Community can make to seriously ill Australians waiting for life saving transplants.
“In just 12 months since we have appointed a Hospital State Medical Director, Dr Michael Lindley-Jones and State Donor nurse specialists Mary Campbell at Tweed and Lismore and Anne Judd at Coffs Harbour, we have seen an increase from two to five donors, which is very encouraging”, said Dr Jonathan Gillis."
“The role of these staff will help to educate clinical staff about organ donation and how we can help to fulfil the wishes of people who want to donate their organs during the normal process of end of life care and the importance of family support during and after the organ donor process."
“Our specialist clinical staff are working with your community organisations to provide local public education through presentations and information displays. They also support the National Advertising and Community Education campaigns that encourage North Coast people to discuss organ donation with their families."
“The year to date figures in NSW show an increase of 40% over last year but we still have a long way to go,” Dr Gillis said.
Chief Executive of the North Coast Area Health Service (NCAHS), Chris Crawford welcomed the NSW Executive of DonateLife NSW to the region and praised the clinical education and awareness for improving opportunities for people to donate their organs.
“The clinical staff in NCAHS Hospitals are undertaking clinical education in organ and tissue donation. This is providing more opportunities for people who want to donate their organs to proceed with a donation and we believe our contribution to an improvement in organ donation will continue with continued education”, said Chris Crawford.
Further information please contact the NCAHS Media Unit on 02 6620 2141, 02 6620 2136 or 0413 028 683
Dr Lindley-Jones welcomed the State Executive to the region and said that the regional staff were encouraged by their progress in such a short time.
“On the North Coast you will find a very generous community who is willing to Discover the Facts about organ and tissue donation, Decide and register today and most importantly discuss organ donation with their families so that they know each other’s wishes."
“We have found a very supportive community who want to find out more and help other people as many people now have relatives whose illnesses may lead to the need for transplantation."
“As many organ donors are transferred to larger trauma centres because of the nature of their illness or injuries our area needs to remember that we are making a contribution to help save Australian lives too, and we thank the State Executive for recognising our contribution to an improvement in organ donation in NSW and Australia,” Dr Lindley-Jones said.
DonateLife media contact: Kerry McKay Communications Manager 0418 205 992
On-site contact: Mary Campbell,CNS, Organ and Tissue Donation Service, Northern Sector, 0421612186.
