The coronavirus pandemic has impacted almost every aspect of Tasmania's health system - including organ donation.
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Dr Andrew Turner has been the director of the Critical Care Medicine department at the Royal Hobart Hospital since 2007. He is also Tasmania's DonateLife state medical director.
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While hospitals remain under increased pressure - particularly in Melbourne - Dr Turner said fortunately organ donation had continued throughout the pandemic.
"We are in uncharted waters with COVID-19 and it's certainly had a significant effect," he said.
"Having said that we have continued to do whatever we possibly can for donation to occur in Tasmania. Certainly we have had donors in Tasmania since the pandemic began. That has been supported by the state government, the various hospitals, by everybody just trying to make this work.
"Because we have families who want the process to work, and obviously we have patients out there who are dying and in desperate need of the organs."
There are more than 1600 Australians on the waitlist for a transplant, with a further 1200 on dialysis. However, only about 2 per cent of people who die in Australian hospitals can be considered for organ donation.
Dr Turner, who has been in his role with DonateLife for 11 years, said organ donation had come a long way in the past decade - with more than 48 per cent of Tasmanians over the age of 16 registered.
"At a very fundamental level there has been a more than doubling of the donation rate," he said.
"What I've seen at all levels is much more recognition ... both at a community level, where I think people are very aware and hopefully open to discussing donation. But also, at a hospital level.
"If you went back 12 years ago, as doctors ... we always felt a bit timid about mentioning organ donation, because it was awkward and a bit imposing on families at a time when they're aware their loved one is dying. Now, we realise the positive effects of donation.
"We like to talk to families about it and we know ... the families very much respect the conversation and want to be included in that decision. So we are making it part of the standard. It's not taboo."
Tasmania achieved a record year for donation outcomes in 2019, with 18 Tasmanians donating 54 organs.
To register or for more information visit donatelife.gov.au.