State of VAD report: Evidence paints ‘reassuring picture’ of laws working as intended

Nearly 2500 Australians have died using voluntary assisted dying laws. As the NT considers legalising euthanasia, a landmark report reveals what is working – and what isn’t.

A landmark report into voluntary assisted dying across the country has found the laws are working, but more must be done to support doctors and improve access for people in rural and remote areas.

After being the first jurisdiction in the world to offer voluntary euthanasia, the NT is now the only place in Australia or New Zealand without VAD laws in place.

An expert independent review into VAD in the Territory was handed to the government in July recommending the rights be restored, but the Chief Minister has indicated it is not her priority to move ahead with implementation.

Go Gentle Australia’s State of VAD report collated data for the first time on how the laws were working in other states.

Dr Linda Swan. Photo: David Thomson

It found that since Victoria became the first state to introduce VAD in 2019, more than 7200

terminally ill people in Australia and New Zealand had sought to access euthanasia and 3242 had died using a VAD substance, supported by more than 1200 doctors.

“The evidence collected paints a reassuring picture,” chief executive Linda Swan said.

“None of the dire predictions from opponents have come to pass and systems are working safely and with great compassion.”

Dr Swan said VAD applicants were of all ages and backgrounds but typically aged between 70

and 79.

In Australia, they were slightly more likely to be male, and three quarters had a terminal cancer diagnosis.

On average they took two weeks to a month to progress through the approvals process.

Indigenous people sought assisted deaths in smaller numbers – accounting for 1.4 per cent of VAD applications in Queensland despite making up 4.6 per cent of the state’s population.

High workloads for VAD practitioners was identified as an issue, doctors often also going uncompensated for hours of work under current Medicare benefits arrangements.

VADANZ president clinical oncologist Cameron McLaren. David Geraghty / The Australian.

“Voluntary assisted dying across Australia and New Zealand is operating to extremely high standards with incredible care and compassion,” said Cameron McLaren, president clinical oncologist of peak body VADANZ.

“However, its success is due in large part to the goodwill and dedication of a relatively small group of healthcare professionals who go above and beyond for their patients.

“Many aspects are underfunded and poorly integrated with existing health services.

“This poses significant challenges. We must ensure VAD funding keeps pace with the work required, that the pipeline of participating clinicians is sustainable, and unnecessary barriers to access for patients are removed.”

The report also recommended amending Commonwealth laws to allow people to use telehealth in the VAD process.

Dr Swan said it was “cruel and unreasonable to require dying people to travel long distances to in-person consults for every single aspect of the application process”.

“This outdated prohibition adds significant delays and uncertainty for everyone, and discriminates against people in rural and remote areas,” she said.

Originally published as State of VAD report: Evidence paints ‘reassuring picture’ of laws working as intended