- Aug 8, 2012
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Tasmania Legalises Voluntary Assisted Dying
Tasmania has passed voluntary assisted dying (VAD) legislation, making it the third state in Australia to do so, after Victoria and Western Australia.
To be eligible to access voluntary assisted dying, someone must be 18, have decision-making capacity, be acting voluntarily and be suffering intolerably from a medical condition that is advanced, incurable, irreversible and will cause the person's death in the next six months, or 12 months for neurodegenerative disorders.
They must also be an Australia citizen or have resided there for at least three continuous years, and for at least 12 months in Tasmania immediately before making the first request to access VAD.
People with mental illness or disability will not have access to VAD.
Three requests must be made to access VAD, each of which comes with checks and balances.
Initially, patients will need to contact their regular GP to discuss what the options are.
To then make their first VAD request, the patient must receive information from an authorised medical practitioner in a face-to-face meeting. This information should include details about their medical condition, any possible treatments, and what palliative care options are available.
If eligible, a second request can then be made, after waiting at least 48 hours. The second request must be written and signed by the person requesting access to VAD, or someone they have nominated.
It must also be witnessed by two people who cannot be medical professionals involved, and at least one must not be a family member or benefit financially from the person's death.
If the person is deemed eligible based on their second request, they are referred to another medical practitioner to assess their eligibility.
If all these hurdles are passed, a final request can be made in writing.
Once all three requests have been approved, the VAD Commission will check everything is in order before authorising a prescription.
Doctors will not be required to participate in the VAD process.
VAD will not be implemented for at least 18 months to allow time for detailed legislation, setting up a body to oversight VAD, development of guidelines and training for medical staff.
At least two other Australian states are considering implementing a VAD process.
Source:
Tasmania has legalised voluntary assisted dying. What happens now and how will it work? - ABC News
OB
Tasmania has passed voluntary assisted dying (VAD) legislation, making it the third state in Australia to do so, after Victoria and Western Australia.
To be eligible to access voluntary assisted dying, someone must be 18, have decision-making capacity, be acting voluntarily and be suffering intolerably from a medical condition that is advanced, incurable, irreversible and will cause the person's death in the next six months, or 12 months for neurodegenerative disorders.
They must also be an Australia citizen or have resided there for at least three continuous years, and for at least 12 months in Tasmania immediately before making the first request to access VAD.
People with mental illness or disability will not have access to VAD.
Three requests must be made to access VAD, each of which comes with checks and balances.
Initially, patients will need to contact their regular GP to discuss what the options are.
To then make their first VAD request, the patient must receive information from an authorised medical practitioner in a face-to-face meeting. This information should include details about their medical condition, any possible treatments, and what palliative care options are available.
If eligible, a second request can then be made, after waiting at least 48 hours. The second request must be written and signed by the person requesting access to VAD, or someone they have nominated.
It must also be witnessed by two people who cannot be medical professionals involved, and at least one must not be a family member or benefit financially from the person's death.
If the person is deemed eligible based on their second request, they are referred to another medical practitioner to assess their eligibility.
If all these hurdles are passed, a final request can be made in writing.
Once all three requests have been approved, the VAD Commission will check everything is in order before authorising a prescription.
Doctors will not be required to participate in the VAD process.
VAD will not be implemented for at least 18 months to allow time for detailed legislation, setting up a body to oversight VAD, development of guidelines and training for medical staff.
At least two other Australian states are considering implementing a VAD process.
Source:
Tasmania has legalised voluntary assisted dying. What happens now and how will it work? - ABC News
OB
