Voluntary assisted dying (VAD)

• You can speak to your doctor or healthcare provider about your options and preferences for end-of-life care, including VAD
• Patients, the family and carers of patients, members of the community, health professionals and service providers can contact the WA VAD Statewide Care Navigator Service (SWCNS) for information about VAD, including how to find a VAD provider.
  • Email: VADcarenavigator@health.wa.gov.au
  • Phone: (08) 9431 2755
  • More information: WA VAD Statewide Care Navigator Service (external site)

Not all health services and facilities support VAD. If a health professional does not agree with VAD (often called a conscientious objection) they may suggest you talk with someone else. If they do not directly refer you to another health professional to discuss VAD, you can contact the WA VAD Statewide Care Navigator Service. The care navigators who staff the service are very experienced with the VAD process in Western Australia (WA).

Several steps need to be taken to ensure that the person requesting access to VAD is eligible and that their request is informed, enduring and voluntary.

Information about the patient eligibility criteria and the steps of the VAD process is included in the approved information booklet (external site). This is the information that a medical practitioner is legally required to provide a patient who has requested VAD.

A discussion about VAD between a  patient and their care provider does not begin the VAD process. This requires the patient to make a formal first request to access VAD to a medical practitioner.

Anyone can make a first request to access VAD. However, a patient who is requesting access to VAD must make it clear that this is what they are doing.

A first request for VAD must be:

• clear and unambiguous
• made to a medical practitioner
• made during a medical consultation or appointment
• made in person (or, if this is not practical, via audiovisual communication where the patient and practitioner can both see and hear each other)

You are entitled to make multiple first requests. If you make a first request to a practitioner and it is refused, but you still wish to access VAD, you can choose to make another first request to a different medical practitioner. If you have been found ineligible for VAD but your circumstances have changed (e.g. your prognosis has changed), you can choose to make a new first request to the same medical practitioner or another medical practitioner.

Resources

• This is my stop podcast (external site)
• Considerations at end-of-life (894KB) | Audio (MP3 5MB)
• Who is eligible (PDF 884KB) | Audio (PDF 3.2MB)
• Overview of the process (PDF 922KB) | Audio (MP3 7.5MB)
• Frequently Asked Questions (PDF 900KB) | Audio (MP3 15MB)
• Glossary of terms (PDF 884KB) | Audio (MP3 5MB)
• WA VAD Statewide Care Navigator Service (PDF 881KB) | Audio (MP3 2MB)
• WA VAD Statewide Pharmacy Service (PDF 881KB) | Audio (MP3 2MB)
• Making the first request (PDF 883KB) | Audio (MP3 3.5MB)
• Assistance with communication (PDF 881KB) | Audio (MP3 2.9MB)
• Review of certain decisions (PDF 882KB) | Audio (MP3 2.7MB)
• Completing the written declaration (PDF 884KB) | Audio (MP3 2.3MB)
• How to fill in a Written Declaration (PDF 1.4MB)
• Choosing the Contact Person (PDF 881KB) | Audio (MP3 1.9MB)
• How to fill in a Contact Person Appointment Form (PDF 1.4MB)
• Being the Contact Person (PDF 884 KB) | Audio (MP3 2.9MB)
• Supporting someone through the process (PDF 888KB) | Audio (MP3 3.9MB)
• Considerations for an assisted death (PDF 890KB) | Audio (MP3 3.9MB)
• Voluntary Assisted Dying Personal Reflections Form (PDF 392KB).

Video

• Accessing voluntary assisted dying in Western Australia - Webinar (external site)
• VAD update: Reflections on the first 6 months (external site)
• Voluntary assisted dying as an end-of-life choice (external site).

You can find more information on the Department of Health website (external site). 

• Making the first request (PDF 883KB) | Audio (MP3 3.5MB)
• Assistance with communication (PDF 881KB) | Audio (MP3 2.9MB)
• Review of certain decisions (PDF 882KB) | Audio (MP3 2.7MB)
• Completing the written declaration (PDF 884KB) | Audio (MP3 2.3MB)
• How to fill in a Written Declaration (PDF 1.4MB)
• Choosing the Contact Person (PDF 881KB) | Audio (MP3 1.9MB)
• How to fill in a Contact Person Appointment Form (PDF 1.4MB)
• Being the Contact Person (PDF 884 KB) | Audio (MP3 2.9MB)

If you have had an experience with VAD, you are encouraged to to provide feedback to the VAD Board.  

The stories shared by patients, families, carers, friends, and healthcare staff helps the VAD Board to understand what is working well and what could be done better. All feedback, including compliments, concerns, and suggestions, is appreciated, and valued.

Provide you feedback

Complete the Voluntary Assisted Dying Personal Reflections Form (PDF 392KB) and submit throuh any of the options below.

1. Email to VADBoard@health.wa.gov.au
2. Post addressed to:
   Voluntary Assisted Dying Board Secretariat Unit
   Office of the Chief Medical Officer
   PO Box 8172
   Perth Business Centre
   Perth WA 6849
3. Fax to (08) 9222 0399

The VAD Board is an independent body responsible for monitoring VAD in WA and suggesting ways in which the service can be improved. The VAD Board uses feedback from patients, families and health workers to improve the operation of VAD processes and inform safety and quality improvements relating to VAD in WA.

Navigating the death of someone you love can be difficult. You may find talking through your concerns or challenges with someone helpful. If you are not comfortable or are unable to speak with friends or family, you can contact your doctor, or the WA VAD Care Navigator Service on (08) 9431 2755. The care navigators can refer you to the most appropriate service.

You can also get in touch with hotline or call-back services for support. See below for details of additional supports and information.

• Supporting someone through the process (PDF 888KB) | Audio (MP3 3.9MB) 

24/7 crisis services

• Lifeline call 13 11 14 (24/7 – phone, text, online)
• Suicide Call Back Service call 1300 659 467 (24/7 – phone and online)

Support services

• 13YARN provide 24/7 crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
• Beyond Blue call 1300 22 4636 (24/7 – phone, online)
• Griefline call 1300 845 745 (8am to 8pm AEST Monday to Friday)
• World Wellness Group (multicultural support) call 1300 079 020