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Note from the Editor:
This article was kindly written for the SDC by retired psychologist/ member @Joy Straw.

This article has been written to draw attention to very new legislation, Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD), that has only just been passed throughout Australia. This topic is not for everyone, so please choose whether you want to read it or not. These are not my personal opinions; these are current legislative facts. This article is meant to open discussion, so that if we’re ever faced with a terminal illness or life-threatening condition, we may have some understanding of what can happen to us. Legislation was passed by individual states and territories. VAD schemes have been in effect in the following states: Victoria since 19 June 2019, Western Australia since 1 July 2021, Tasmania 23 October 2022, Queensland since 1 January 2023, South Australia since 31of January 2023 and New South Wales 28 November 2023.

For this article, we will look at the legislation related to New South Wales. Other states and territories have their legislation listed under their local government, but they are very similar.

What is Voluntary Assisted Dying?

Assisted dying (VAD) is the legal treatment option that allows people with terminal illnesses to request medical assistance to end their life legally.

You can discuss your options with your GP. Image Credit: Shutterstock

Eligibility:
To be eligible, a person must:

1. Have an advanced disease or medical condition and know that this will cause their death within 6 months (or 12 months for neurodegenerative diseases)
2. Be experiencing suffering that cannot be relieved in a way that’s acceptable to them
3. Be an adult 18 years or over

Process:
To access VAD, a person must

• Undergo a request and assessment process
• Make three separate requests
• Be assessed by two doctors

Medication:
The person can take the medication themselves or have it administered by a healthcare practitioner.

Asking for medical help to die is not considered suicide under the law.

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[IAN3005]

It's a load of BS.... you have to be half dead before you can avail yourself of the service..... I want something that takes care of 'IT' before you get to that point.
I remember my mother sitting around unable to walk or take care of herself and unable to speak for 5 years just waiting to die... get it over with it from day 1.
She would often in her lucid moments as for a razor blade to do the job.

 

[Joy Straw]

It's a load of BS.... you have to be half dead before you can avail yourself of the service..... I want something that takes care of 'IT' before you get to that point.
I remember my mother sitting around unable to walk or take care of herself and unable to speak for 5 years just waiting to die... get it over with it from day 1.
She would often in her lucid moments as for a razor blade to do the job.

I’m so sorry Ian for your pain watching your mother pass away . VAD has been incredibly slow bringing in just this, so far but there are groups still working behind the scenes to bring about earlier assistance. I watched my husband slowly die from cancer and not being able to stop the pain was incredibly painful. I hope the pain you’re experiencing will ease over time. If you felt like you’d like to do something proactive there are several groups who actively call for better legislation one of them Is called gogentleaustralia.org.au . Sending love and positive energy but I know only time will ease your pain. Joy

 

[bj.reisen]

Thank you Joy,
I'm happy that this option, is available and accessible.
Joy

 

[Luckyus]

No..... does not include people who wish to die... you have to have something wrong with you before you can avail yourself to the service... too many hoops to jump though.

I intend to go out if possible to go out, the same way I got in Kicking and screaming (You have a dirty Mind?)

 

[DLHM]

Thank you @Joy Straw. Another informative and very important, helpful article.

I’ve been an advocate for euthanasia, or as it is now, VAD, for decades. How disgusting and degrading to have your loved ones watch you painfully wither and waste away. I don’t want my loved ones to remember me like that.

 

[marni]

The problem arises when the patient is incoherent and cannot make the
Journey through the hoops. So many Alzheimer patients have had enough. My father had a stroke and while they were incubating him, he did not know why they were poking tubes here and there, so he kept pulling them out. They were going to tie his hands, luckily i was there and advocated palliative care. He died in peace

 

[MariaG]

The problem arises when the patient is incoherent and cannot make the
Journey through the hoops. So many Alzheimer patients have had enough. My father had a stroke and while they were incubating him, he did not know why they were poking tubes here and there, so he kept pulling them out. They were going to tie his hands, luckily i was there and advocated palliative care. He died in peace

That's so sad.
It puts me to mind when my mum who was in the last stages of dementia, suffered major strokes. They tried to scan her brain in that big steel enclosed room. I was outside and heard her screaming for me to help her. Eventually, they gowned me up and took me in to calm her while they did the scans. It was awful. Her eyes showed the sheer panic. I could only talk to her as I always did and stroke her hand. She left us 2 days later.
She had all the paperwork done when diagnosed that gave all the right directives about wishes at end of life, guardianship, DNR, and so on.
When mum was suffering as she was, I truly believe she may well have wanted the assisted dying directive be in play. I will never know.

 

[IAN3005]

That's so sad.
It puts me to mind when my mum who was in the last stages of dementia, suffered major strokes. They tried to scan her brain in that big steel enclosed room. I was outside and heard her screaming for me to help her. Eventually, they gowned me up and took me in to calm her while they did the scans. It was awful. Her eyes showed the sheer panic. I could only talk to her as I always did and stroke her hand. She left us 2 days later.
She had all the paperwork done when diagnosed that gave all the right directives about wishes at end of life, guardianship, DNR, and so on.
When mum was suffering as she was, I truly believe she may well have wanted the assisted dying directive be in play. I will never know.

At least it was 2 days.....my mother lasted 5 years not being able to talk or walk around

 

[Joy Straw]

That's so sad.
It puts me to mind when my mum who was in the last stages of dementia, suffered major strokes. They tried to scan her brain in that big steel enclosed room. I was outside and heard her screaming for me to help her. Eventually, they gowned me up and took me in to calm her while they did the scans. It was awful. Her eyes showed the sheer panic. I could only talk to her as I always did and stroke her hand. She left us 2 days later.
She had all the paperwork done when diagnosed that gave all the right directives about wishes at end of life, guardianship, DNR, and so on.
When mum was suffering as she was, I truly believe she may well have wanted the assisted dying directive be in play. I will never know.

Dear Maria
I’m so sorry you had to go through this watching anyone you love go through pain is awful. This is the beginning of change and hopefully the government will begin to see that people are not rushing to die for the “fun” of it but because of genuine pain and suffering. That pain and suffering is compounded when the loved ones are unable to help. Thank you for sharing I’m sure this helps others to understand they are not alone