The Voluntary Assisted Dying Review Panel (the Panel) has conducted the review of the Voluntary Assisted Dying Act 2019, supported by the Department of Health.
In carrying out the inaugural review of the Act, the Panel considered the following terms of reference for the review:
- the effectiveness and the operation of the Act, as passed by the Parliament in 2019, in providing for and regulating access to voluntary assisted dying.
- the extent to which current processes provided under the Act are operating to support persons eligible for voluntary assisted dying in Western Australia.
The review did not seek feedback on whether voluntary assisted dying should be precluded or whether there should be changes to the eligibility criteria for patients or practitioners involved in the voluntary assisted dying process.
The Act review comprised a 2 staged approach.
- Stage 1
The Department of Health hosted an online public consultation survey to identify key issues and themes.
- Stage 2
The Australian Centre for Health Law and Research at Queensland University of Technology analysed and investigated the issues and themes, through interviews and focus groups.
The Panel found that the Act is operating as intended in providing and regulating access to voluntary assisted dying for eligible people. The Act, as passed by Parliament in 2019, does not require legislative amendment. Processes provided under the Act are generally operating well in supporting all those involved in providing and accessing voluntary assisted dying.
The Panel has, however, made 10 recommendations centred on increasing compliance with the Act and improving access and support for eligible people and voluntary assisted dying providers.
Panel members, Dr Elissa Campbell, Dr Sally Talbot MLC and Dr Simon Towler said the Panel would like to acknowledge and thank the community for making submissions and providing evidence into this review. We trust our recommendations will continue to support all Western Australians with access to quality end of life care that aligns to their preferences and values.
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