Work by the Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD) Implementation Taskforce continues in the lead up to the start of the Voluntary Assisted Dying Act 2017, which begins 19 June next year.
To oversee the safe operation of the Act, the Voluntary Assisted Dying Review Board has been established in partnership with Safer Care Victoria (SCV). The board will provide independent monitoring of all related VAD activity.
The taskforce has also completed the VAD regulations which set out requirements for permit forms, accreditation of interpreters and locked box storage for medication. The next stage will include:
- models of care and organisational protocols for health services
- guidance for health practitioners
- training for medical practitioners
- community and consumer information.
The taskforce is also working with the Victorian Healthcare Association to develop resources to assist health services and practitioners which will be distributed early next year.
A statewide support service, known as ‘care navigators’ has been funded to support patients, health professionals and carers who are providing voluntary assisted dying care for any assistance. The first two of the four funded care navigators will be run for 12 months at Peter McCallum Cancer Centre to assist with refining and developing how care navigators will provide appropriate support.
