Reports
Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill (NSW) 2021 The VAD Bill was presented to NSW parliament on Thursday 14th October 2021 by Independent Member for Sydney Alex Greenwich MP. In preparation for the introduction of this Bill, PCNSW met with Mr Greenwich to present our position on VAD and palliative care. We specifically requested additional support for palliative care to respond to and adapt to this new legislation if VAD becomes legal in NSW. We also requested that language used during debate not be discriminatory or inflammatory, nor emotionally charged, out of respect for those living and dying with a range of life limiting conditions. PCNSW supports the position of PCA that the decision whether or not to legislate voluntary assisted dying is one for governments. PCNSW neither advocates for, nor argues against, the legislation of voluntary assisted dying. Our position is to promote the role of palliative care in a person’s end of life experience. Definitions:
Our position is to promote the role of palliative care in a person’s end of life experience. about, palliative care and an investment commitment to support the sector to respond and adapt to this new legislation, should it come to pass. We will keep you updated. In the meantime, members can access current information and provide your own comments and insights through our VAD website forum. Simply visit your Members Only page:
Palliative care: Affirms life and regards dying as a normal process that intends neither to hasten nor postpone death. It improves the quality of life of patients and their families through the prevention and relief of suffering by means of assessment and treatment of pain and other problems, physical, psychosocial and spiritual. Voluntary assisted dying: Medical practitioners may prescribe and potentially directly administer an approved substance for the purpose of causing death where the person meets the eligibility criteria outlined in the relevant legislation and has sought this outcome voluntarily. We have also written to NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet, the Deputy Premier, the Treasurer and Minister for Health. Our primary focus is the request for equity of access to, and information
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