TRANSPLANT UNIT GIVES 31 QUEENSLANDERS A LONGER LIFE

Queensland Health successfully performed liver transplant operations on 31 Queenslanders in 2006 with all recipients surviving the highly complicated life-saving procedure.

Health Minister Stephen Robertson said the Queensland Liver Transplant Service had achieved a 100 per cent success rate for the first time last year.

In 2005, 25 adults and 7 children had liver transplants, with a success rate of 85 per cent.

“Last year, 29 adults and 2 children, aged from six weeks to 65 years, received a longer life thanks to the dedication and skill of the liver transplant team and the generosity of the organ donors,” Mr Robertson said.

“The recipients were from Mount Isa, Darling Downs, Mackay and Cairns as well as across south east Queensland.

“Liver transplants are very complex operations that are always fraught with a degree of risk for the patient but they save lives.

“An average liver transplant operation can take between 6 to 12 hours to perform.

“Up to 100 people could be involved in the procedure from the aeroplane pilot who urgently transports the available organ and other organ retrieval team members to surgeons, nurses and the allied health staff involved in the post-operative rehabilitation.

“Thirty one successful liver transplants in one year is a wonderful outcome, and my admiration and heartfelt thanks go to the skilled team which worked together so well to produce these results.”

One of last year’s liver transplant recipients, Graham Packer of Bridgeman Downs, was full of praise for the talented team of surgeons, nurses and other health staff who gave him a new shot at life.

"I regard the whole event as a miracle - from the extraordinary generosity of the donor and the donor family, through to the medical team. They all deserve the highest tributes,” Mr Packer said.

"The level of care I received during those nine weeks, plus the follow-up treatment, has been wonderful.

"This whole process has changed my outlook on life - I now no longer take things for granted, and continue to be overwhelmed by the generosity of the very special person who made the decision to donate their organs.

"I urge all families to discuss this issue and encourage all Queenslanders to consider organ and tissue donation."

Mr Robertson said Australia records one of the highest transplant success rates in the world, with survival rates for liver transplants averaging approximately 90 per cent after one year.

“My best wishes go to last year’s recipients — I hope they continue to enjoy improved health and a better quality of life,” he said.

“Of course, none of these transplants would have been possible without the enormous generosity of the donors and their families.

“While we had a 100 per cent success rate with our liver recipients in 2006, the continuing shortage of organs for transplant means that one in six patients in need of a life-saving transplant dies while waiting for the right organ to become available.

“I urge all Queenslanders to consider giving the gift of life.”

The liver transplant service was established in 1985 and is based at the Princess Alexandra and Royal Children’s Hospitals.

In 2005, Queensland had 36 organ donors and 231 tissue donors while Australia overall had 202 organ donors, two down from 2004. There are about 1,700 people on transplant waiting lists across Australia.

Queenslanders can record their decision to donate organs and tissues for transplantation through the Australian Organ Donor Register by calling 1800 777 203 or logging on to www.medicareaustralia.gov.au

MEDIA: Joshua Cooney 3234 1185