AHA was commissioned by the Organ and Tissue Authority to undertake a midpoint review of the implementation of the National Reform Package, A World’s Best Practice Approach to Organ and Tissue Donation in Australia.

AHA’s review examined the progress of the nine measures comprising the reform package:

1. A new national approach and system – a national authority and network of organ and tissue donation agencies
2. Specialist hospital staff and systems dedicated to organ donation
3. New funding for hospitals
4. National professional education and awareness
5. Coordinated, ongoing community awareness and education
6. Support for donor families
7. Safe, equitable and transparent national transplantation process
8. National eye and tissue donation and transplantation network
9. Additional national initiatives, including living donation programs.

The review outcomes included:

• Provided advice on progress achieved in 2010 in implementing each of the nine measures, including the challenges and issues impacting the reform agenda
• Evaluated the increase in donation and transplantation rates achieved in 2010, having regard to the rate of increase compared to other countries
• Advised on the capacity to continue the growth trend in donation rates taking into consideration how each of the nine measures has contributed to the increase and whether they remain necessary to achieve continued improvement
• Considered the extent to which the DonateLife network is evident and operational as a national system and how it could be further enhanced and integrated in all states and territories
• Considered the effectiveness of the current governance and consultation arrangements, including the role and membership of the Advisory Council as the peak committee providing advice to the Organ and Tissue Authority.

AHA’s report is available on the DonateLife website: http://www.donatelife.gov.au/government-reports