South Australians with a terminal illness will have the right to make the choice to die with dignity under landmark laws which come into force today.
After 16 previous attempts spanning 27 years, voluntary assisted dying is now legal in South Australia.
The introduction of the Voluntary Assisted Dying Act 2021 gives eligible South Australians with a terminal illness a choice at the end of life – in the most safe, accessible, and compassionate way.
The Act includes many safeguards to ensure only eligible people can access VAD and protect vulnerable people from coercion, abuse, and exploitation.
VAD is available for people who meet strict criteria, including having an incurable, advanced and progressive disease, illness, or medical condition expected to cause death within 6 months (or 12 months for a neurodegenerative condition), and that is causing suffering to the person that cannot be relieved in a tolerable manner.
The Malinauskas Labor Government has committed more than $18 million over five years to support safe access to voluntary assisted dying.
Under the new laws, people considering voluntary assisted dying should speak with their doctor for more information, with health practitioners legally unable to initiate discussions with individuals about VAD.
More than 70 doctors have now registered and are undertaking mandatory training required to conduct eligibility assessments for VAD – including 30 who have completed the training and are ready to go from today.
Alongside doctors, Care Navigators from the South Australian Voluntary Assisted Dying Care Navigator Service will be available to assist people with accessing VAD. These are nursing and allied health professionals with experience in complex and end of life care who will manage queries, encourage connections between services, and support referrals to participating medical practitioners.
Care Navigators have been recognised by clinicians in Victoria and Western Australia as a key part of voluntary assisted dying laws.
In addition, a VAD Liaison Nurse has been appointed in each adult metropolitan Local Health Network, alongside a VAD Liaison Nurse for regional South Australia.
Minister for Health and Wellbeing Chris Picton says that today is a historic one for South Australia.
“We have been working flat out to implement voluntary assisted dying in a safe, accessible, and equitable way. Importantly we will be upholding the 70 safeguards embedded into the laws.
“From today eligible South Australians will be able to start the strict process under the laws. I encourage people who are interested to read the materials on the SA Health website and speak to your doctor.”
For more information about VAD and the Care Navigator Service please click here.
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