Voluntary Assisted Dying laws see 28 permits issued to April 30

A new report on Voluntary Assisted Dying laws has detailed how many permits have been issued to allow South Australians to die.

Twenty-eight South Australians received a Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD) permit in the three months to April 30 and a dozen have died including one who passed away without using the medication available.

They were aged from their 40s to their 90s. Seven had terminal cancer, and five had degenerative neurological conditions.

The first Voluntary Assisted Dying Quarterly Report released today shows the impact of the new laws in helping South Australians with terminal illnesses choosing to die under the law which came into effect on January 31.

Of the 11 people who used medication to die, eight self-administered medication and three were supported by a medical practitioner.

Health Minister Chris Picton said allowing voluntary assisted dying in South Australia was a significant milestone. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Brenton Edwards

On average, the length of time from making a first request to access VAD and receiving an outcome on an application for a permit was 25 days.

For all 28 permit applications, the Chief Executive of Department for Health and Wellbeing provided a decision within the three-day time frame required by the Act.

The program will now expand services in regional areas to improve access.

The report shows 60 medical practitioners have completed the mandatory training, with a further 45 registered or part-way through. Of these, 71 per cent are in metropolitan Adelaide, and 29 per cent are based in regional South Australia.

Examples of comments from patients and families in the quarterly report include:

“The whole process was carried out with the utmost care and compassion, everyone involved was absolutely wonderful and made things as easy as possible for us.”

“The doctor’s visit was more than we could have hoped for, she was kind and compassionate as well as being professional and respectful of my husband’s wishes. At each visit it was stipulated that my husband was in control of this process and could stop it at any time if he chose.”

Andrea Fuller said her father Dion Manthorpe died peacefully under the VAD laws, surrounded by his five children and sipping Grange. The former Port Lincoln GP had prostate cancer.

“He knew the trajectory of his disease was going downhill and had spoken to us about dying with dignity,” Ms Fuller said.

“From the time of his first appointment to the time of his death on the 29th of March was just over a month.”

Ms Fuller said the family had discussed the situation and fully supported Mr Manthorpe’s decision.

Andrea Fuller with a photo of her father Dion Manthorpe, a retired country GP who died peacefully aged 95 surrounded by his five children, sipping Grange, assisted by the VAD laws. Picture: Supplied by family

Attorney-General Kyam Maher. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Brenton Edwards

The laws include multiple safeguards to ensure only eligible people can access VAD and protect vulnerable people from coercion, abuse, and exploitation.

VAD is available for people who meet strict criteria, including having an incurable, advanced and progressive disease, illness, or medical condition expected to cause death within 6 months (or 12 months for a neurodegenerative condition), and is causing suffering to the person that cannot be relieved in a tolerable manner.

Health Minister Chris Picton said allowing voluntary assisted dying in South Australia was a significant milestone.

“I am pleased that the laws have been working so well,” he said. “The pathway offers hope, comfort and choice to South Australians with terminal illnesses, with many safeguards also in place.”

Attorney-General Kyam Maher said: “After 16 previous failed attempts across 27 years, it was a momentous day for South Australians when VAD laws passed South Australia.

“With years of advocacy and hard work by so many, it is wonderful to finally see the laws in action and how well they are operating in bringing South Australians the choice and comfort of dying in dignity.”