Viw Magazine

Men's Weekly

.

  • Written by Ben White, Professor of Law, Australian Centre for Health Law Research, Queensland University of Technology
On June 19, Victoria will become the first state in Australia to legalise voluntary assisted dying. From shutterstock.com

Voluntary assisted dying becomes a lawful choice for Victorians from June 19. To be eligible, two doctors must assess a person to have an incurable, advanced and progressive medical condition that will cause death within six months (or 12 months for neurodegenerative conditions).

With Victoria being the first state in Australia to allow voluntary assisted dying, this represents a major shift in end-of-life care. In the 18 months since the law was passed, an Implementation Taskforce has overseen the creation of new resources for the community, clinical guidance and training for health professionals, and policies to help health services decide what care they will provide.

While this preparation is critical, there are some questions we’ll only be able to answer once voluntary assisted dying becomes a clinical reality.


Read more: Voluntary assisted dying will soon be legal in Victoria, and this is what you need to know


Will people know about voluntary assisted dying?

Early media coverage is likely to ensure widespread awareness of the new laws, but that will not be universal. Some people will remain unaware of the law, or unaware that they may be eligible for voluntary assisted dying.

This could create access problems as health professionals are legally prohibited from raising voluntary assisted dying with their patients in the first instance.

Added to this, the Victorian law is complex. Once patients are aware of the legislation and want to utilise it, another question is whether terminally ill patients will be able to navigate through the process.

This includes being assessed by two different doctors, making three requests for voluntary assisted dying over time, and appointing a contact person.

Will doctors be willing to provide voluntary assisted dying?

The law depends on two willing doctors prepared to assist a patient. Both must assess the person and one doctor must be willing to provide voluntary assisted dying (typically by prescribing medication, or for patients who can’t take the medication themselves, administering it).

Some doctors may not want to participate because of their personal views, and the law protects this. Others might be deterred by the legislation’s complexity and the significant duties involved, especially for the doctor overseeing the process. This includes applying for a voluntary assisted dying permit from the government, as well as completing a number of forms for the Voluntary Assisted Dying Review Board.

We don’t know how many doctors are going to be willing and able to provide voluntary assisted dying from June 19.

But even if few doctors are willing to provide voluntary assisted dying initially, we anticipate patient requests will encourage other doctors to consider taking on these roles.

Will people be able to find these doctors?

A challenge for a person seeking voluntary assisted dying, or for a doctor wishing to refer a patient, is to know which doctors may be willing to assist. The decision to provide voluntary assisted dying is understandably something many doctors will elect to keep private.

Aside from a few doctors who have stated their position in the media, it’s not widely known who might be willing to offer this service.


Read more: Want to better understand Victoria's assisted dying laws? These five articles will help


The Victorian government has appointed two voluntary assisted dying care navigators, with two more to be appointed.

Their role includes connecting a person seeking voluntary assisted dying to a doctor who may be willing to assess eligibility. The navigators have been assessing interest from doctors across Victoria and will play a critical role in addressing access issues, particularly in the early days of the legislation.

Will health services permit voluntary assisted dying?

A person seeking voluntary assisted dying may be cared for in an institution like a hospital or residential aged care facility – and some of these may be opposed to voluntary assisted dying. Patient access in these cases will be affected by how institutions respond to any requests.

The government has developed three “pathways” to help health services consider their approach.

A person who wants to access voluntary assisted dying will need to go through a rigorous process to determine their eligibility. From shutterstock.com

Some have stated they will adopt the pathway of not providing voluntary assisted dying (only information and support). Other health services are preparing either to partner with another health service to facilitate voluntary assisted dying, or provide voluntary assisted dying within their service.

Time will resolve unanswered questions

We should anticipate the beginning of the voluntary assisted dying law will raise practical issues like the ones we’ve described in this article. This shouldn’t be a surprise or cause for alarm, but is the case with all major changes to health-care practice.

The extensive implementation work means there are already structures in place to address these issues. Alongside the care navigators, an overseeing body, the Voluntary Assisted Dying Review Board, will also be key. Its initial work will likely involve reviewing early instances of voluntary assisted dying in practice to identify areas for improvement from a systems perspective.


Read more: From Oregon to Belgium to Victoria – the different ways suffering patients are allowed to die


We also suggest collecting real-time “on-the-ground” feedback including from patients, families and health professionals about how the law is working in practice, beyond the more formal oversight by the Review Board.

Implementation is an ongoing process. Review and continuous improvement of the law and how it works in practice should commence the moment the law begins.

Ben White receives funding from the Australian Research Council, the National Health and Medical Research Council and Commonwealth and State Governments for research and training about the law, policy and practice relating to end-of-life care. In relation to implementation of voluntary assisted dying, he (with colleagues) has been engaged by the Victorian Government to design and provide the legislatively mandated training for doctors involved in voluntary assisted dying.

Eliana Close receives funding from the Australian Research Council and the National Health and Medical Research Council for her PhD research. She is a member of the Queensland Children's Hospital Clinical Ethics Consultation Service. Eliana contributed to curriculum development for the Victorian government’s legislatively mandated training for doctors involved in voluntary assisted dying.

Lindy Willmott receives funding from the Australian Research Council, the National Health and Medical Research Council and Commonwealth and State Governments for research and training about the law, policy and practice relating to end-of-life care. In relation to implementation of voluntary assisted dying, she (with colleagues) has been engaged by the Victorian Government to design and provide the legislatively mandated training for doctors involved in voluntary assisted dying. Lindy is also a Board Member of Palliative Care Australia.

Authors: Ben White, Professor of Law, Australian Centre for Health Law Research, Queensland University of Technology

Read more http://theconversation.com/we-dont-know-all-the-details-of-how-voluntary-assisted-dying-will-work-yet-but-the-system-is-ready-117827

Designing the Ideal Healthcare Environment with a Professional Medical Centre Fitout

When it comes to healthcare spaces, functionality, hygiene, and patient comfort take top priority. An intelligently designed medical centr...

Stay Comfortable Year-Round with Ducted Cooling Melbourne

When the temperature starts to rise, having a reliable and efficient cooling system becomes a priority. With unpredictable weather and sud...

Best Practices for Content Ownership and Tagging Across Departments

Image by kaboompics on Freepik The bigger and more complex content ecosystems grow, the more valuable ownership and tagging become. In ent...

Understanding Public Liability Insurance Australia: What You Need to Know

Image by rawpixel.com on Freepik The necessity of public liability insurance in Australia is that it acts as a financial safeguard for busi...

How HID Proximity Cards Improve Workplace Security Without Slowing Down Access

In today’s workplaces, security is non-negotiable, but so is speed. Companies are under pressure to protect their people, property, and ...

Unlock Business Insights Faster with Power BI Tools

In this digital age where data drives the consumer landscape, businesses are shipping huge amounts of data every day. To remain competit...

Why Split System Installation Is a Smart Choice for Home Climate Control

Temperature control is essential for comfort, and when it comes to efficient, versatile cooling and heating, a split system is one of the ...

The Ultimate Guide to Door Replacement: Everything You Need to Know

Image by freepik Sure, swapping out a door is a fairly easy task, but it requires careful consideration of options for materials, designs...

Common Web Development Issues Perth Businesses Face (and How Agencies Fix Them)

Image by freepik Let's be honest, in the bustling heart of Perth's business scene, a website that's not up to scratch is like trying to he...

Life With Clear Aligners: 10 Small Changes That Make a Big Difference

Image by tonodiaz on Freepik Clear aligners have transformed orthodontics, offering a nearly invisible way to straighten teeth without the...

Choosing the Right Hair Loss Treatment for Your Needs

Millions of people experience hair loss globally, and it can be a major cause of emotional discomfort and self-consciousness. Hair loss ca...

Cardboard Display Boxes: An Effective Solution for Retail Presentation

In the competitive world of retail, how products are presented can be just as important as the products themselves. Cardboard display boxe...

Why Hiring a Skilled Shopify Web Developer Can Transform Your Online Store

Shopify has become one of the most popular e-commerce platforms due to its ease of use, powerful features, and scalability. However, creat...

Selling a Home Left 1 in 3 Aussies in Tears, Survey Finds

New research on selling property found that more than 1 in 3 people who sold a property in the past two years admitted to crying at some poi...

Brisbane Motor Vehicle Accident Lawyers & Motorbike Accident Claims

Motorbike accidents in Brisbane can lead to severe injuries and complex legal challenges, given the vulnerability of riders on the road. F...

Jesse Martin, OAM Sets Sail Again with Portland Roads - Sailing the Whitsundays

Jesse Martin OAM shot to fame in 1999 as the world’s youngest sailor to circumnavigate the globe – solo, unassisted and non-stop. No...

Why Modern Roller Shutters Are the Perfect Solution for Your Home or Business

Whether you're looking to secure your home or make your business more energy-efficient, modern roller shutters are a smart choice. In this...

Everything You Need to Know About the EWPA Yellow Card

The EWPA Yellow Card is an important certification in the construction and workplace safety sectors. It plays a key role in ensuring worke...

From Residential to NDIS to Commercial: How Mr Window Cleaning Covers Every Window

Not all window cleaning jobs are created equal. A quiet suburban home, a bustling retail store, and a property under an NDIS plan each com...

How Timely Duct Inspections and Repairs Improve HVAC Efficiency

You have cranked up the air conditioning, but your home still feels unevenly cooled or stuffy. Sound familiar? Many homeowners jump straig...