Voluntary Assisted Dying Commenced in Northern Queensland
As of Sunday, 1st January 2023, Voluntary assisted dying has commenced in Northern Queensland. Voluntary assisted dying (VAD) is an additional end-of-life choice that gives eligible people, who are suffering and dying, the option of asking for medical assistance to end their lives.
There are legal obligations that all medical practitioners must comply with, even if they do not wish to be an authorised VAD practitioner. These include how to:
- Initiate a discussion about voluntary assisted dying
- Respond if someone makes a first request
- Respond if asked to undertake a consulting assessment
- Complete a cause of death certificate for someone who has accessed voluntary assisted dying.
The Voluntary Assisted Dying Act 2021 (the Act) outlines strict eligibility criteria for accessing voluntary assisted dying. A person must meet all the eligibility criteria to access voluntary assisted dying.
Some resources for healthcare workers who want to learn more:
