Voluntary Assisted Dying Media Release

QCCL President Michael Cope said today “In its submission to the Queensland Parliament’s Health and Environment Committee, on the Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD) Bill https://www.qccl.org.au/newsblog/voluntary-assisted-dying-submission-to-parliamentary-committee, the QCCL welcomed this important initiative but argued for improvements”

“In our view, having regard to the unbearable pain and suffering of those with terminal or incurable illnesses a well-informed person could not reasonably reject VAD so long as it was only permitted in circumstances where all reasonable steps had been taken to protect the interests of the vulnerable,” Mr. Cope said
It is our view that in general terms the Bill provides for a system that meets this test, though it could be improved.
The Bill limits eligibility to people diagnosed with a medical condition that is:

1. expected to cause death within 12 months and
2. causing what the person considers to be intolerable suffering

In our view, the right should be extended to people who are experiencing unbearable pain and suffer-ing, with no prospect of improvement, whether they are expected to die or not. However, we do not press that point at this time preferring to have this Bill passed.

The Bill currently allows a doctor to initiate a discussion with a patient about voluntary assisted dy-ing. QCCL does not support this. The relationship between doctor and patient makes this inappropri-ate as a patient may see such a suggestion as advice. The patient should always make the initial in-quiry

Another area that should be changed to increase protection for those using the process would be to require that both the doctor and patient agree that the pain being suffered is intolerable and cannot be relieved. Evidence from the Netherlands is that such a requirement has resulted in two thirds of requests being changed in favour of palliative care.

The parliament needs to come to grips with the issue of the use of advance health directives in the case of voluntary assisted dying. There are difficulties with allowing the use of advance health direc-tives. However, the position that such patients are ineligible to access VAD is inconsistent with the prevailing position, which is that the law respects the decisions of persons who submit to an ad-vance health directive

In Luxembourg health directions are registered with the supervisory body, which is required to check them with the person on a regular basis to make sure they have not changed their mind

“The QCCL looks forward to the Parliament grappling in a rational way with these issues and the pas-sage of this important reform which will enable the relief of much pain and suffering, which is increas-ing as our society ages “says Mr. Cope

For further information contact Michael Cope President QCCL on 07 3223 5939 during office hours and at all times on 0432 847 154

5 July 2021