Preparations are underway for Voluntary Assisted Dying to become available in NSW next year.
An eligible person may ask a health professional for medical help to end their life under the Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD) Act, which comes into effect from 28 November 2023.
Another person is unable to pressure someone to ask for VAD. Only the person who wants to access VAD may ask for it. Decision-making capacity is required to make a VAD request, therefore it can’t be included in an Advance Care Plan or Directive.
Now is the time to consider your own position on VAD and how you will respond if the question is asked.
The Act states that people in NSW will only be able to receive access to voluntary assisted dying if they meet all the following criteria:
- They must be an adult (18 years and older), who is an Australian citizen, a permanent resident of Australia or have been a resident in Australia for at least three continuous years.
- They must have been living in NSW for at least 12 months.
- They must have at least one disease, illness or medical condition which is advanced, progressive and:
- will, on the balance of probabilities, cause their death within six months (or within 12 months for neurodegenerative diseases like motor neurone disease), and
- is causing the person suffering which cannot be relieved in a way the person considers tolerable.
- They must have decision-making capacity in relation to VAD and be acting voluntarily.
- They must have the ability to make and communicate requests and decisions about voluntary assisted dying throughout the formal request process.
What do I need to do?
A medical professional who has undertaken specific training and met eligibility requirements may choose to undertake the following roles:
- Voluntary Assisted Dying coordinator practitioner
- Consulting practitioner
- Administering practitioner
A nurse practitioner may also undertake the role of the administering practitioner if they are eligible.
A medical professional who has a conscientious objection to VAD may refuse to participate in the process.
What will NSW Health do?
Over the next few months, NSW health will create:
- An education and training program for medical professionals who choose to support VAD
- A care navigator service to provide support, advice and information to both community members and medical professionals
- Pharmaceutical protocols and procedures to ensure appropriate administration of approved substances
- A framework for VAD across public health, private facilities and community general practices
- A VAD Board and secretariat