Man nearly dies after consuming partner’s Voluntary Assisted Dying drug
An investigation is under way after a man allegedly took Voluntary Assisted Dying drugs intended for his partner at a Gold Coast hospital following a round of shots with a health worker.
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A man has narrowly escaped death after allegedly taking Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD) drugs intended for his partner.
The drama unfolded at Gold Coast University Hospital’s VAD unit earlier this month after the couple allegedly took shots of alcohol with a health worker.
According to an ABC report the man was rushed to the hospital’s emergency department and had to be resuscitated with a drug used to counteract opioid overdoses.
A Gold Coast Health spokesperson said the alleged incident was being investigated, and all appropriate authorities had been notified. All staff must uphold a code of conduct, they said, and any breaches may result in disciplinary action.
The spokesperson said the VAD process was governed by legislation and Clinical Practice Guidelines.
“Gold Coast Health has taken additional steps to strengthen clinical hospital processes over and above the requirements of the VAD legislation,” they said.
A spokeswoman for Health Minister Tim Nicholls said a report will be prepared for the coroner.
Voluntary Assisted Dying became legally available in Queensland on January 1, 2023.
The legal framework for VAD is established through the Voluntary Assisted Dying Act 2021.
People who have been approved to take part in VAD have the option to self-administer the drug or for it to be administered by an administering practitioner.
The deadly dose is provided to those wanting to self-administer at home in a locked box or collected by a designated support person.
VAD drugs not consumed must be returned within 14 days.
The case was believed to be the first Australian instance of a person ingesting a VAD dosage prescribed for someone else.
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