Julia Medew; 24/10/08
The head of the federal health department is worried a Melbourne doctor’s comments that not all organ donors are dead when their organs are removed will undermine efforts to boost Australia’s donation rate. Associate Professor James Tibballs, an intensive care specialist at the Royal Children’s Hospital, told The Age this week that doctors could not be sure all brain function or blood circulation had ceased irreversibly when organs were taken. He also called for brain death tests to be strengthened and for Australians to be fully informed of how organs are retrieved to ensure informed consent.
Tags: Australia, Death, Organ Donation