Lung transplants to be done in WA

21/5/04
Western Australians needing lung transplants will no longer have to endure a long wait in the Eastern States, with the establishment of a lung transplant unit in Perth.
Health Minister Jim McGinty said a new $1.5million unit to be established at Royal Perth Hospital was a major plus for transplant surgery in WA.
"At present, lung transplant patients have to make an often traumatic trip to the Eastern States and wait on call 24 hours a day for a compatible lung to become available," Mr McGinty said.
"The patients and their families have to uproot their lives for months, even years.
"This is incredibly disruptive and the new unit will provide enormous benefits to patients, their partners and their families."
The average waiting time for a donor organ following approval of transplantation is about nine months, but patients can be waiting for up to two years. Unfortunately, one in five patients dies before a lung becomes available.
Mr McGinty said at least 12 patients each year would benefit from the new service and more transplants would be done as demand increased.
The cost of performing a lung transplant is between $70,000 and $100,000 per patient. WA patients awaiting surgery in Sydney or Melbourne have their expenses met by the State Government.
"Given the costs currently involved in transporting, housing and caring for the WA patients in Sydney or Melbourne, the new unit should not result in any significant additional costs to the health system," the Minister said.
The decision to establish the unit followed representations from lung transplant patients and Perth doctors.
"The time is now right for a unit to be established in WA," Mr McGinty said.
"In line with the recommendations of the Health Reform Committee, the new unit will be developed and run by doctors across the system with strong collaboration between specialists at Royal Perth and Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital."
Dr Robert Larbalestier, head of the Royal Perth Hospital Transplant Unit, said it was a great decision for the people of WA who had end-stage lung disease requiring transplantation.
"It is the natural progression for the heart transplant program to provide a comprehensive thoracic organ transplant program for the State," Dr Larbalestier said.
"The heart transplant team has demonstrated how a small volume unit with a high quality dedicated team can deliver high quality results.
"We look forward to working with our colleagues in delivering a state-of-the-art service."
Mr McGinty said the new unit would be established in line with national protocols relating to lung transplantation services.
Minister's office: 9220 5000