Event to explain right to die laws

WITH voluntary assisted dying starting in Tasmania in October, an event organised by Palliative Care Tasmania is already attracting much interest.

Palliative Care Tasmania chief executive Colleen Johnstone said that, while her organisation had a neutral view on VAD, it was important people understood how the new laws would work.

“GPs tell us patients are already asking about it,” she said.

“There is still a lot of uncertainty about VAD in our sector, so we have provided the VAD implementation team an opportunity talk to our members and the community.

“We believe that palliative care is a right for all Tasmanians no matter what they chose at the end of their lives.

“We are holding this event to help the community and our members get the right information as it becomes available from the source.”

Ms Johnstone said PCT supported people’s choice on VAD because “that’s the least we can do”.

“People living with a lifelimiting illness, their families and carers must be treated with dignity and respect, and supported to explore all options available, which may or may not include VAD when it is legally available,” she said.

“About 85 per cent of Tasmanians who die are going to need some form of palliative care and that will rise in the coming years.

“If we had gold-standard palliative care it would be available when, where and the time it is wanted but that’s not always happening.”

The online event on June 23 from 12pm to 1pm is part of PAT’s regular speaker series and has attracted more than 100 registrations.

Simon Castles and Lisa Caswell from the Department of Health will discuss the implementation of VAD and the systems, services and resources that will be available to Tasmanians. Independent member for Mersey in the Legislative Council Mike Gaffney, who introduced the VAD Bill into parliament, said he was impressed with the “professionalism” of the government’s implementation taskforce.

“Tasmanians can be reassured that the entire Tasmanian VAD journey is one that many other Australian states and overseas countries envy,” he said.

“It speaks highly of the government’s commitment to ensuring that Tasmanians who wish to ease their suffering are able to do so within a highly effective, sound and sensitive framework.”