Brisbane, 28 October 2024 – Removing barriers to voluntary assisted dying for eligible terminally ill people is the focus of the second trans-Tasman Voluntary Assisted Dying Conference (VADCON24) in Brisbane this week.
Voluntary assisted dying (VAD) is legal in all six Australian states, the ACT and New Zealand and is increasingly accepted in healthcare settings; however, challenges remain to ensure all eligible people who want the choice are able to use it.
Hosted by VADANZ (the peak body representing VAD practitioners), the Australian Centre for Health Law Research (ACHLR) and Go Gentle Australia, more than 400 delegates will hear from experts on how to improve service delivery.
"People seeking choice at the end of life are facing unnecessary barriers, chief among them a lack of awareness that VAD is a legal and available choice, as well as complex VAD application processes. They also may need to contend with uncooperative healthcare facilities,” Go Gentle Australia’s CEO, Dr Linda Swan, said.
“In addition, the legal prohibitions in some jurisdictions on initiating discussions about VAD and the Australian prohibition on using electronic communications such as telehealth, mean many eligible people, especially those in rural and regional areas, struggle to find the help they need.
“We must find ways to remove these obstacles and encourage more health professionals to do the VAD training so every terminally ill person gets the high-quality care they deserve,” Dr Swan said.
Among the speakers:
- Dr Rob Grenfell, chief of strategy and regions, Grampians Health on Reimagining the way we die, designing future-focused, integrated health and wellbeing systems
- Representatives from VAD oversight bodies in each jurisdiction
- Andrew Denton, in discussion with an expert panel on VAD and institutions: How to allow conscientious objection and avoid obstruction?
- Broadcaster Hamish Macdonald chairing expert panel discussions on Time frames in VAD: Safeguards or barriers? and Loss of decision-making capacity and VAD.
- Dr Linda Swan, GGA CEO, Future-proofing the VAD workforce.
The conference follows the release of the first Australian and New Zealand analysis of official data that shows VAD laws are working safely and as intended, and fulfilling their dual aims to offer terminally ill people choice and relieve suffering.
“Along with areas for improvement, there are many examples of collaboration and high-quality care to be celebrated. The conference will explore how these successes can be shared and amplified.
“We are thrilled this year to partner with QUT’s Australian Centre for Health Law Research to add a stronger academic component. We are also excited to host a gala dinner and awards ceremony to honour community champions and innovators in the fields of VAD research, clinical care and advocacy,” Dr Swan said.
What: Second Trans-Tasman Voluntary Assisted Dying Conference
When: Monday 28 October to Tuesday 29 October 2024, 8am -5pm
Where: QUT Gardens Point Campus: Level 4, Z Block, Lamington Drive, Brisbane
Details: https://www.gogentleaustralia.org.au/vadcon24_conf_program
Media contact: For media passes and interviews with conference speakers contact 0426 283 865 media@gogentleaustralia.org.au
Key Facts:
VAD laws have been passed in all six Australian states, the ACT and New Zealand
They are working safely and as intended
Awareness of and demand for VAD are growing
Restricting healthcare professionals' conversations about VAD is impeding access
Procedural elements, some intended as safeguards, are working as obstacles to access
Workloads and remuneration remain serious issues - sustainablity of VAD services is uncertain
Contact details:
Media contact: For media passes and interviews with conference speakers contact 0426 283 865 media@gogentleaustralia.org.au