Hutchison Paul: Human Tissue (Organ Donation) Amendment Bill — First Reading 
Hutchison Paul: Human Tissue (Organ Donation) Amendment Bill — First Reading 
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Dr PAUL HUTCHISON (National—Port Waikato) 
: 
 It is very encouraging to hear that the Minister is keen for an open and collaborative discussion on how we in New Zealand can increase organ donation. I certainly also hope that during the select committee process the Maori Party’s views will be well made to and better understood across the various parties in the House. But firstly I acknowledge the initiative and work of my colleague Dr Jackie Blue and congratulate her on the way she has taken on the responsibility of this bill. I also acknowledge Andy Tookey who is sitting in the gallery. He firstly with dogged determination brought a petition to Parliament and then he consistently supported with ardent fervour this organ donation bill coming into Parliament. 
Dr Blue has clearly outlined that donor shortage is a major problem in New Zealand and that with an ageing population and an obesity and diabetic epidemic in the country there will be even greater demands for donor organs into the future. Unless new techniques such as may occur from stem cell research become a reality demand will continue to outstrip supply. 
I also acknowledge the altruism of individuals and families throughout New Zealand who are willing to donate their organs to help others. It is classic Kiwi goodwill that so many are available. The tragedy is that so few come for donation in New Zealand. It is clear that many New Zealanders know little about the complexities and subtleties legal and technical associated with organ donation. One thing that I think must never occur is the commercial aspect to donation apart from compensation for expenses. Coupled with the donor’s generosity it is fundamental to acknowledge the extremely sensitive demanding and challenging work that doctors nurses and intensivists—transplant specialists—undertake on a 24-hour basis 7 days a week to enable the process of organ donation to proceed effectively when organs are available in New Zealand. 
The House should be reminded that the 2004 report of the Health Committee recommended to the Government that it proceed to investigate the option of an indicative register that records organ donation wishes independent of its review of the regulation of human tissue and tissue-based therapy. Dr Stephen Streat a specialist intensivist has taken on the extremely demanding job of clinical leader of Organ Donation New Zealand. There is no doubt that it is hugely important if we are to achieve a successful organ donor system in New Zealand that the views of all participants in the process are thoroughly understood and listened to so that it runs smoothly. There needs to be a framework of cooperation not a framework of conflict. 
I understand that in the United Kingdom there has been antagonism between the transplant and the intensive care community. However in New Zealand under the present regime indicative as it is there is a highly collaborative relationship that leads to the smooth running of this very technically complex process. It has been impressed on me that the quality of the processes developed must be extremely high as any mistakes are liable to be magnified. New Zealand does have a legacy of failures around informed consent dating from the National Women’s Hospital cervical cancer inquiry the Gisborne inquiry the Green Lane Hospital heart library and the neonatal physiotherapy saga. Therefore it is vital that the lessons learnt from these extremely damaging episodes of New Zealand history are taken on board when it comes to developing the regulatory framework of a successful donor system and particularly the parameters around informed consent. 
I end by saying that Dr Jackie Blue’s bill will serve as a very important template to generate informed discussion about organ donation. Hopefully after going through the select committee process it will achieve a regulatory framework that successfully serves the organ donation needs of the New Zealand community and will be evidence-based.