![]() “Our voluntary assisted dying laws are giving Victorians who are suffering an incurable illness at the end of their lives a compassionate choice.” Quotes attributable to Minister for Health Jenny Mikakos The coronavirus pandemic has further highlighted these access issues, prompting the Board to again call for change to the Commonwealth law. This has proven to be a barrier for accessing voluntary assisted dying, particularly for regional patients or those too ill to attend an appointment in person. The independent Board has also used the review to repeat its calls to reform Commonwealth laws that effectively prevent telehealth being used to discuss voluntary assisted dying. Although the applicant was fully eligible to access the scheme – and demonstrating the strict level of oversight – the Board’s review process identified an administrative error with the paperwork completed by a medical practitioner.Įnsuring we continue to protect patients and their families, the matter has been referred to the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency for review and any follow-up action. The report shows that one application was deemed non-compliant. The number of medical practitioners trained and registered to support voluntary assisted dying increased by 30 per cent from the first six months, with 37 per cent located outside metropolitan Melbourne. Most permits were then issued within two days. Of those who have died, 78 per cent had a cancer diagnosis, 15 per cent had a neurodegenerative disease like motor neurone disease (MND), and seven per cent had other untreatable diseases including pulmonary fibrosis, cardiomyopathy or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.Īnd reflecting the rapid decline of people experiencing many of these illnesses, half of all applicants proceeded from their first to last request within 19 days. ![]() Similarly, applications were received from Victorians across a spectrum of ages – from 32 to 100 – with an average age of 71 years. The report also shows the widespread need for the legislation, with 38 per cent of applications from people living in regional Victoria. The latest report shows that of the 231 permits issued, 124 Victorians suffering with a terminal illness had accessed the laws in the last 12 months, affording them compassionate care at the end of their life. Minister for Health Jenny Mikakos welcomed the third report of the independent Voluntary Assisted Dying Review Board, led by former Supreme Court Justice Betty King QC, which was tabled in Parliament today. Just over one year since its implementation, our voluntary assisted dying laws are giving Victorians suffering with a terminal illness greater choice over the timing and manner of their death.
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