Workers need more support with assisted dying system

Patient and nurse. | Newsreel
Health care workers say the Voluntary Assisted Dying scheme could be made easier to navigate. | Photo: SDI Productions (iStock)

The majority of health care workers believe the nation’s Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD) system is difficult to navigate, making challenging end-of-life discussions more difficult.

A survey by Palliative Care Australia (PCA) found only 24 percent of those working in primary care and 43 percent of those working in specialist palliative care thought that the VAD system was easy to navigate.

PCA National Policy Director Josh Fear said if the system was difficult for patients and carers to navigate it would lead to lower levels of awareness of existing VAD navigation teams.

Mr Fear is set to discuss the survey findings at the Trans-Tasman Voluntary Assisted Dying Conference (VADCON) being held Brisbane today and tomorrow (October 28 and 29).

He said the survey also found there was a perceived gap in support provided to health care workers, based on the sector.

“Only 57 percent of health staff working in private or nonprofit health services feel supported by their employer in facilitating VAD as a choice of patients, much lower than those working in public health settings (73 percent).”

He said 18 percent of respondents said that the introduction of VAD had resulted in an increased demand for palliative care.

“The survey points to the fact that those who deliver palliative care recognise and respect VAD as a valid end-of-life choice,” Mr Fear said.

“What we have heard from the sector is that the introduction of VAD in every state has led to an increase in conversations about end-of-life choices.

“That’s important because people choosing VAD should also have access to quality palliative care – it shouldn’t be one or the other.”