Dozens consider death plan

ABOUT 100 sick Victorians have expressed their interest in accessing the state’s voluntary assisted dying scheme which becomes legal tomorrow.

But the State Government expects only a dozen terminally ill patients will take their own life in the first year of the scheme, which is eventually expected to be used by 150 people a year.

Victoria became the first state to legalise voluntary euthanasia about 18 months ago, with authorities since working to establish 68 safeguards to ensure the protection of patients’ rights.

It will take at least 10 days before a person can pass all the scheme’s requirements to take their own life.

Only adults with decisionmaking capacity who have lived in Victoria for at least a year are eligible, and they must be suffering from a disease, illness or condition likely to cause death within six months, or a year if they have a neurodegenerative condition.

If they want to access the scheme, they must personally make three requests — including two in writing — and have the approval of two doctors.

About 100 doctors — including GPs, palliative care clinicians and cancer specialists — have received specialised training to help patients.

While some advocacy groups have expressed concern the list of qualified doctors is not publicly available, a “navigator” service is available at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre to connect patients to doctors.

The lethal drugs used will be prepared at The Alfred hospital by pharmacists who will be responsible for personally delivering them to patients.

Unused medications will be destroyed, and an independent panel will review each death.

Premier Daniel Andrews said it was “the most conservative model of its kind in the world”.

“We know that only a small number of people will choose to access voluntary assisted dying, but it will make a world of difference for those who do,” he said.

The laws are still opposed by sections of the community, with the state’s Catholic bishops issuing a letter this week which objected “to the lazy idea that the best response our community can offer a person in acute suffering is to end their life”. “We cannot co-operate with the facilitation of suicide, even when it seems motivated by empathy or kindness,” the bishops said.

Health Minister Jenny Mikakos said she expected most dying Victorians would continue to seek palliative care, which received a $72 million boost in this year’s Budget. Lifeline on 13 11 14