Terminally ill Australians who choose to end their lives using voluntary assisted dying still make up only a small portion of total deaths, but growing demand has prompted efforts to streamline the process and strengthen the workforce. of work.
In a landmark Go Gentle Australia report on voluntary assisted dying – now legal in all jurisdictions except the Northern Territory – 2,460 people chose to end their lives with the service.
In 2017, Victoria became the first state to legalize voluntary assisted dying, for people with a terminal illness who are in immense pain and want to control the circumstances of their death.
The association’s chief executive, Linda Swan, said the evidence painted a “reassuring picture of systems serving their purpose”, with health professionals providing “kind and meticulous” support.
“None of the opponents’ dire predictions have come true and the systems are operating safely and with great compassion,” she said.
The typical candidate was 70 years old with a terminal cancer diagnosis and was slightly more likely to be male, the report found.
Applicants were generally well-educated, English-speaking, and four out of five were receiving palliative care.
Candidates were three times more likely to die at home.
Barriers for patients
Although voluntary assistance in dying only accounts for between 0.5 and 1.6 percent of total deaths, demand is increasing and there are still a number of barriers to access.
Although it is a “person-led” process, Swan said it was unclear whether there was the right balance between safeguards and accessibility.
“Gag clauses” in South Australia and Victoria, which prevent healthcare professionals from discussing this option with patients, meant many were unaware of the option.
“No other health system requires patients to know their treatment options before seeing a doctor,” Swan said.
More healthcare professionals needed to be encouraged to take voluntary assisted dying training, with the report recommending they be fairly paid.
Seventeen health organizations, including the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia and the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation, were calling for reform of the Commonwealth Penal Code so people can use telephone, email and telehealth in the framework of the process.
Existing rules require applicants to attend all appointments in person, which is particularly burdensome for those living in regional or remote areas.
