Voluntary assisted dying: Care body CEO warns against euthanasia vote

Voluntary assisted dying is not the antidote to Queenslanders dying in agony in some parts of the state, a care boss says.

Voluntary assisted dying is not the antidote to Queenslanders dying in agony in areas of the state with failing palliative care, an end-of-life care provider warns.

St Vincent’s Care Services chief executive Lincoln Hopper is calling for increased investment in palliative care services, warning that dying people in the bush are waiting up to a week for crucial pain medication.

“We recognise there is a likelihood that a Queensland VAD system will be in place. With that in mind, we have two messages for Queensland MPs. Do not support this Bill. There are other ways of solving the problems of suffering at end-of-life,” said Mr Hopper, from the Catholic health and aged care body.

“It’s not hard to imagine the outcome if VAD is introduced in a state that has a palliative care system in such disrepair. Do Queensland MPs – particularly those representing regional electorates – want that on their conscience? Surely they must demand the government provide the necessary palliative care funding? “

Historic voluntary assisted dying laws were introduced in Queensland Parliament yesterday.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said Queenslanders had spoken and the time was right.

St Vincent’s Care Services CEO Lincoln Hopper

But there is uncertainty around how the scheme will be available to people in regional, rural and remote areas because of the Commonwealth’s Criminal Code.

St Vincent’s has provided end-of-life care to Queenslanders since the 1950s, when their first hospital was established at Kangaroo Point. Since then thousands of Queensland families have said their final farewells to a loved one.

“We now provide one of the state’s largest palliative care services — both inpatient and community-outreach – under contract to Queensland Health. Our 11 aged care services throughout Queensland are also no stranger to the challenges facing people as they approach their final days,” he said.

Based on their experience, voluntary assisted dying would not be practised in St Vincent’s.

“We don’t believe assisting someone to end their life, directly and intentionally, can ever be an expression of care for someone who is vulnerable,” Mr Hopper said.

The chief executive said that in a heavily decentralised Queensland, particularly in the regions, access to quality palliative care is very difficult.

“The Queensland parliamentary inquiry that began this process exposed in shocking detail the condition of our state’s end-of-life care system. Palliative Care Queensland’s reports show a palliative care system that is chronically undervalued and overwhelmed. The peak body has been very clear that $275 million per year in new funding is what’s needed to guarantee our state’s citizens access to quality end-of-life care,” Mr Hopper said.