Voluntary assisted dying

WA Country Health Service believes that people who are reaching the end of their life, along with their families and friends, should have access to skilled and compassionate care within the communities in which they are living.

We are committed to providing country Western Australians with culturally appropriate, high quality end-of-life and palliative care guided by the person’s own values and choices. This commitment aligns especially with our values of equity and compassion.

We acknowledge voluntary assisted dying (VAD) as one component of end-of-life care. Upholding patient autonomy and dignity are fundamental to the care we provide, as we recognise that VAD is available to eligible persons in accordance with the Voluntary Assisted Dying Act 2019 (WA) (the Act).

As a health service provider dedicated to delivering excellence in health care to the community we serve, we will be working within the legislative framework to ensure VAD is accessible to eligible patients. 

 

 The principles stated within the Act are important to WA Country Health Service and include:

  • Every human life is valued equally.
  • A person’s autonomy in relation to end-of-life choices is respected.
  • A person has the right to be supported in making informed decisions about their medical treatment and is given clear information about treatment options including for comfort and palliative care.
  • When approaching end of life, high quality care including palliative care and treatment is provided to minimise the person’s suffering and maximise the person’s quality of life.
  • A supportive, therapeutic relationship between a person and their health practitioner is maintained wherever possible.
  • A person is encouraged to openly discuss death and dying, their preferences and values regarding their care, treatment, and end-of-life.
  • A person is supported in conversations with their health practitioners, family, carers and community about treatment and care preferences.
  • A person is entitled to genuine choices about their care, treatment, and end-of-life, irrespective of where they live in Western Australia and having regard to the person’s culture and language.
  

  • A person who lives in regional Western Australia is entitled to the same level of access to voluntary assisted dying as a person who lives in the metropolitan area.
  • All people will be shown respect for their culture, religion, beliefs, values and personal characteristics.
  • Where possible, eligible patients will be encouraged and supported to plan for VAD in the community.
  • An inpatient admission for VAD will be planned in a careful, considerate, and collaborative manner, to ensure patients and staff are supported throughout the process.
  • Some patients will be found to be ineligible for VAD; they too will be supported, including being offered palliative care.
  • A patient may withdraw consent for VAD at any time, including after admission with intent to administer the VAD substance.
  • WA Country Health Service patients seeking access to VAD will be encouraged to communicate their wishes with their GP, and any other health practitioners involved in their care.
  

WA Country Health Service patients in the community interested in information about VAD have a range of resources available to them, including approved information from the Department of Health. Links to some services are provided on the Department of Health VAD page.

WA Country Health Service patients wishing to explore VAD in more detail should in the first instance contact their usual GP, or the Statewide Care Navigator Service (SWCNS) for help.

The SWCNS can be contacted on (08) 9431 2755 from 8:30am – 5:00pm Monday to Friday.

The SWCNS also manage the Regional Access Support Scheme (RASS) which provides financial support for access to voluntary assisted dying. This means if you live in country WA and you are not able to access a medical practitioner in your local area, the Care Navigators may be able to assist you through the RASS. 

This scheme can assist you to travel to a medical practitioner to access voluntary assisted dying or, if you are unable to travel, it can support a medical practitioner to travel to you.

Starting conversations about death, dying, and the end of life with family members or anyone involved in your care can be challenging.

For assistance in how to start a discussion please see the following resource: Palliative Care Australia Discussion Starters.

The WA VAD Act has very strict eligibility criteria, and a person must fulfil all of them to proceed with a request to access VAD.

As a result, some people will not be eligible to access VAD, and this can be distressing to find out.

Reassuringly there are many compassionate, caring options for supportive treatment towards the end of life offered by palliative care.

Links to organisations for further information and support can be found here:

Last Updated: 29/08/2024