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Victoria Introduces Voluntary Assisted Dying
On 19 June 2019 the Australian State of Victoria will formally implement processes allowing for Voluntary Assisted Dying. This follows 18 months of preparation since the passage of enabling legislation in November 2017. The scheme defines strict qualifications for those seeking access along with a defined process. Doctors who conscientiously object to the scheme are under no obligation to participate or refer.
To access the scheme applicants must:
Qualified applicants will need to follow basic protocols:
Health practitioners must have the appropriate skills and training as defined by the scheme and may choose their level of involvement. If a health practitioner conscientiously objects to voluntary assisted dying, they are under no obligation to participate. Health practitioners are under no obligation to refer the patient to someone who will assist them, but should not inhibit a person's access to treatment.
Assisted Dying and/or Voluntary Euthanasia is currently legally available in six countries (Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Colombia and Canada) and six U.S. States (Oregon, Washington State, Vermont, California, Colorado, and Montana)
Sources
voluntary-assisted-dying
Voluntary assisted dying will soon be legal in Victoria, and this is what you need to know
Assisted Dying in Other Countries - My Death, My Decision
OB
On 19 June 2019 the Australian State of Victoria will formally implement processes allowing for Voluntary Assisted Dying. This follows 18 months of preparation since the passage of enabling legislation in November 2017. The scheme defines strict qualifications for those seeking access along with a defined process. Doctors who conscientiously object to the scheme are under no obligation to participate or refer.
To access the scheme applicants must:
- Be in the late stages of an advanced disease and expected to die within weeks or months, but not more than six months (or 12 months for a neurodegenerative disease, such as motor neurone disease).
- Be experiencing suffering, which they consider unacceptable.
- Have the ability to make and communicate an informed decision about voluntary assisted dying.
- Make a voluntary, continuing and fully informed decision about voluntary assisted dying.
- Be an adult, 18 years old or over.
- Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
- Be a current Victorian resident who has lived in the state for the last 12 months.
Qualified applicants will need to follow basic protocols:
- Make two verbal requests
- Sign a written request
- Be assessed as eligible for voluntary assisted dying by two different doctors (one of the doctors must be a specialist in the field of the relevant disease).
Health practitioners must have the appropriate skills and training as defined by the scheme and may choose their level of involvement. If a health practitioner conscientiously objects to voluntary assisted dying, they are under no obligation to participate. Health practitioners are under no obligation to refer the patient to someone who will assist them, but should not inhibit a person's access to treatment.
Assisted Dying and/or Voluntary Euthanasia is currently legally available in six countries (Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Colombia and Canada) and six U.S. States (Oregon, Washington State, Vermont, California, Colorado, and Montana)
Sources
voluntary-assisted-dying
Voluntary assisted dying will soon be legal in Victoria, and this is what you need to know
Assisted Dying in Other Countries - My Death, My Decision
OB
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