Euthanasia Victoria: moves to establish doctor training body underway

A TRAINING body for doctors wanting to help terminally ill patients end their own lives is on the way, with a tender process closing this week.

THE Andrews Government is organising training for doctors wanting to help terminally ill patients end their own lives.

Five months after Victoria passed its landmark euthanasia legislation, the Department of Health has begun moves to establish a training body capable of preparing medical specialists wanting to assist voluntary dying.

The measure is part of an 18-month implementation ­period aimed at developing practical resources to assist doctors and patients.

Health Minister Jill Hennessy said training is a crucial part of the process. Picture: AAP Image/David Crosling

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A tender process seeking “suitably qualified” trainers to develop a program for medical specialists closed this week.

“This is about making sure the community and clinicians have the information and assurances they need when this important reform is introduced — and a crucial part of that is training our doctors to understand the law and its safeguards,” Health Minister Jill Hennessy said.

“We need to have the proper checks and balances so eligible terminally ill Victorians are protected as they are considering accessing voluntary assisted dying.”

The Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill passed the Victorian parliament after marathon sittings in both houses last October and November.

Those ending their lives under the legislation must be over the age of 18, of sound mind, suffering intolerably in a way that cannot be relieved, and having completed a three-step process involving ­two independent medical ­assessments.