23 Jul 2017, 9:49 a.m.
Anyone who asks to die must go through a three-step request, the advisory panel recommended.
Victoria's proposed euthanasia laws have been described as the most conservative in the world
People with terminal illnesses could access lethal medication within 10 days of asking, under proposed euthanasia laws for Victoria, made public for the first time on Friday, that have been described as the most conservative in the world.
Serious disability or dementia would not be grounds for eligibility under the proposed laws.
New criminal offences could also be introduced to prosecute those who "induce" a person to request to die.
Details about Victoria's proposed euthanasia laws are contained in 66 recommendations outlined in the Andrews government's Ministerial Advisory Panel report on voluntary assisted dying.
Anyone who asks to die must go through a three-step request, the advisory panel recommended.
The patient must begin with a verbal request, followed by a formal written request, then a final verbal request.
A minimum of 10 days must pass between the first and final request, unless the person is assessed as likely to die within 10 days.
Read more: Couple enter the big sleep together
It is expected that, at first, about 150 people a year will access assisted dying legislation in Victoria and that this would likely increase.
The proposal document will shape the laws set to come before both houses of Victoria's parliament next month and contains the most detailed information yet on what who will be eligible and the safeguards to be introduced.
Politicians will have a conscience vote and are not expected to vote along party lines, with the exception of the Greens who support voluntary euthanasia.
Read more: Poll shows most doctors support euthanasia
Professor Brian Owler, chair of the advisory panel and former president of the Australian Medical Association, has described the proposed laws as conservative and "distinctly Victorian".
"If anything we can be criticised for the burden it may place on someone that is dying," Professor Owler said.
Professor Owler said it was conceivable that a person "could obtain a prescription, visit a chemist to get a dose of medication and self-administer on that day".
But he said this was not the usual experience overseas.
Professor Brian Owler, chairman of the panel, described the proposed laws as conservative and "distinctly Victorian" Photo: Andrew Meares
People must be able to fulfil seven key eligibility criteria including that they are expected to die within a year, are aged over 18, have an incurable disease that will cause death and have a medical condition that is causing suffering that "cannot be relieved in a manner that is deemed tolerable".
People with dementia will not have access to euthanasia.
Patients with motor neurone disease would have access to physician-assisted euthanasia, and help to physically administer a lethal dose if physically unable to do so.
The panel said while it accepted the loss of cognitive capacity may cause distress to some people "voluntary assisted dying must be 'voluntary' that is, a person must have the decision-making capacity to make an autonomous choice at all stages of the process".
People with a mental illness or a disability would only be able to access euthanasia if they had a terminal illness and fulfil the other criteria.
The panel recommended that only the person who is terminally ill and wants to die can make a request to access lethal medication.
Neither a doctor, nor a carer, can request access and neither can a doctor initiate a discussion about ending one's life.
A person may withdraw their request at any time, and once having done so, must begin the process anew if she or he decides to seek access to lethal medication again.
The panel also addressed the potential for "elder abuse" by a relative or carer, for example, who could conceivably benefit financially from the person's death.
To guard against elder abuse, two independent assessments will be done to ensure a person's request to die is voluntary and properly informed.
Anyone who requests to die will be required to create a written declaration of his or her enduring request, which will also be witnessed by two independent witnesses.
Neither witness can be in a position where they can financially benefit from the person's death.
"It is important that elder abuse is addressed, and the panel is of the view that its recommended framework will identify and manage instances of elder abuse," the ministerial advisory panel's report said.
The panel recommended that all requests to die be independently assessed by two medical practitioners, neither of whom is in a position to benefit from the person's death.
One must be a medical practitioner, such as a GP for example, who has been qualified for at least five years.
The other must be a specialist in the terminal illness or condition the person suffers.
Both assessors must have completed specified training beforehand.
Much unites those on either side of the euthanasia debate. Many agree that palliative care needs to be better funded and available to more Victorians sooner.
But they remain fundamentally divided on what rights should be given to a small number of people for whom even the best medical treatment is not enough to relieve their suffering.
Retired nurse Jane Morris says her mother Elizabeth was one of the minority of people who suffereda "horrific" and "torturous"death.
The 77-year-old, who had motor neurone disease, died in August 2014.
Ms Morris said her family remains traumatised by the last day of her mother's life, as an attempt to terminally sedate Elizabeth was unsuccessful, despite"exemplary" palliative care.
"She had pain, breakthrough pain, because her prescribed dose was unable to adequately palliate her pain at all times," Ms Morris said.
"She managed to express to us her fear and in one of her conscious moments was able to convey to us that she wanted to be fed through her PEG tube. This was so very traumatic for all of us, many staff included.
"However, orders were relayed to us by equally distressed staff that we should inform Mum that she was not to be fed.
"Why should we have been expected to inform our dying mother that we could not fulfil a dying wish?"
Ms Morris said every individual should be given a choice about whether they want to access assisted-dying laws.
"I don't care what way people decide. I have respect for everyone's choice. But I don't think one ideology should trump another," she said.
"The memories of mum's horrific death have been seared into our memories."
Palliative Care Victoria is one of the organisations which have declared it will oppose euthanasia laws, saying it "will lead to a growing sense of a duty to die".
They say those who work daily with the dying, Victoria's palliative care staff, are more likely than the general population to oppose assisted-dying laws (popular support stands at more than 75 per cent).
Palliative Care Victoria chief executive Odette Waanders said some still misunderstood palliative care, which meant some were going without help.
"There is a perception that palliative care means that you're giving up, and you're reaching the end of life and that nothing more can be done.
"But it can be done in tandem with treatment."
The organisation is calling for an extra $65 million to be pumped into the sector by the Victorian government to improve access.
If you are troubled by this report, experiencing a personal crisis or thinking about suicide, you can call Lifeline 131 114 or beyondblue 1300 224 636 or visitlifeline.org.auorbeyondblue.org.au
See original here:
Euthanasia: New laws could see Victorians get lethal medicine within 10 days - Illawarra Mercury
- Death of Catholic former Dutch prime minister highlights 'duo euthanasia' trend in Netherlands - Catholic Herald Online - February 24th, 2024 [February 24th, 2024]
- The Deadly Trend of Double Euthanasia The European Conservative - The European Conservative - February 24th, 2024 [February 24th, 2024]
- Humane Society of Central Texas asks for help as overpopulation threatens animals with euthanasia - KWTX - February 24th, 2024 [February 24th, 2024]
- Ending euthanasia is 'an act of love,' says Canadian activist. Published Feb. 20 2024. World. - The Pilot - February 24th, 2024 [February 24th, 2024]
- 'Duo euthanasia' of former prime minister unveils growing trend in the Netherlands - Evangelical Focus - February 24th, 2024 [February 24th, 2024]
- To Suffer or To Live: The Dilemma of Euthanasia - CONNECTAS - Connectas - February 24th, 2024 [February 24th, 2024]
- All you need to know about euthanasia - Nation - February 24th, 2024 [February 24th, 2024]
- Home with Dignity Enters Cincinnati, Ohio, Revolutionizing In-Home Euthanasia for Pets - PR Newswire - February 24th, 2024 [February 24th, 2024]
- Despite postponement, Canadian government 'fully committed' to expanding assisted suicide, warn country's bishops - Catholic Herald Online - February 24th, 2024 [February 24th, 2024]
- Dame Esther Rantzen explained main reason why she's choosing to die by euthanasia - LADbible - February 24th, 2024 [February 24th, 2024]
- Dame Esther Rantzen's heartbreaking last wish after she prepares for euthanasia - The Mirror - February 24th, 2024 [February 24th, 2024]
- Dame Esther Rantzen reveals her final wish as she prepares for euthanasia - LADbible - February 24th, 2024 [February 24th, 2024]
- "My Last Day Will Be Saturday": Dutch Woman, 28, Shares Final Post Before Being Euthanised - NDTV - February 3rd, 2024 [February 3rd, 2024]
- Opinion | The aid-in-dying question - The Washington Post - The Washington Post - February 3rd, 2024 [February 3rd, 2024]
- Enjoy A Last Morbid Meme: Dutch Woman Has Funny Final Meme Before Undergoing Euthanasia - Bored Panda - February 3rd, 2024 [February 3rd, 2024]
- Opponents of nitrogen executions bill cite Ohio's ban on gas for pet euthanasia - The Statehouse News Bureau - February 3rd, 2024 [February 3rd, 2024]
- Euthanasia for mentally ill off the table in Canada for now - GZERO Media - February 3rd, 2024 [February 3rd, 2024]
- Odin the dog rescued from euthanasia - Lincoln - KOLN - February 3rd, 2024 [February 3rd, 2024]
- 'My last day will be on Saturday': 28-year-old with ME shares final post before being euthanised - Yahoo News UK - February 3rd, 2024 [February 3rd, 2024]
- Odin the dog rescued from euthanasia - Lawton - KSWO - February 3rd, 2024 [February 3rd, 2024]
- Organ-Harvesting Requested from Those to Be Killed by Euthanasia in Quebec - National Review - February 3rd, 2024 [February 3rd, 2024]
- Austin Animal Center to follow new euthanasia rules for dogs with severe bite histories - Community Impact - February 3rd, 2024 [February 3rd, 2024]
- Dogs at Mission shelter at risk of euthanasia due to overcrowding - KRGV - February 3rd, 2024 [February 3rd, 2024]
- Decision Made with Regard to a Proposed Referendum on Euthanasia - Hungary Today - February 3rd, 2024 [February 3rd, 2024]
- Execution method used on Alabama inmate has pro-euthanasia activists worried - Live Action - February 3rd, 2024 [February 3rd, 2024]
- 28-year-old Dutch woman dies by euthanasia after documenting her battle with 'chronic fatigue syndrome' - The New Indian Express - February 3rd, 2024 [February 3rd, 2024]
- Canada delays plans to make euthanasia on the grounds of mental illness alone legal - Right To Life UK - February 3rd, 2024 [February 3rd, 2024]
- 'My last day will be Saturday - Woman, 28, shares harrowing post before euthanasia - The Mirror - February 3rd, 2024 [February 3rd, 2024]
- Family with children suffering from rare disease seeks euthanasia | Kerala | Onmanorama - Onmanorama - February 3rd, 2024 [February 3rd, 2024]
- MAiD for mental illness must be stopped, not paused, Catholic and legal experts say - The B.C. Catholic - February 3rd, 2024 [February 3rd, 2024]
- South Australian figures show 110 people used euthanasia to end their lives - CathNews - February 3rd, 2024 [February 3rd, 2024]
- Euthanasia Rates on the Rise as Dog Adoptions Slow Down - Yahoo Life - November 16th, 2023 [November 16th, 2023]
- Is Disney Building a New Roller Coaster Designed To Kill You? - Snopes.com - November 16th, 2023 [November 16th, 2023]
- Euthanasias effect on culture and society - Valencia County News Bulletin - November 16th, 2023 [November 16th, 2023]
- Arson Detection Pit Bull Hansel Escaped Euthanasia - Daily Paws - November 16th, 2023 [November 16th, 2023]
- Imagining Death | Sarah O'Dell - First Things - November 16th, 2023 [November 16th, 2023]
- UPDATE: Fort Bend County animal shelter over 250% of capacity ... - Community Impact - November 16th, 2023 [November 16th, 2023]
- Sister Dogs and Their Puppies Spared Euthanasia Face 'Cruel Twist ... - Newsweek - November 16th, 2023 [November 16th, 2023]
- One way to escape malpractice lawsuits: euthanise the patient - BioEdge - November 16th, 2023 [November 16th, 2023]
- Arizona legislative committee meets on animal care standards - Fronteras: The Changing America Desk - November 16th, 2023 [November 16th, 2023]
- Colombia begins sterilizing its invasive hippos: what scientists think - Nature.com - November 16th, 2023 [November 16th, 2023]
- Conference brings medics together in support of good ethics - The Catholic Weekly - November 16th, 2023 [November 16th, 2023]
- A Wheeling Murderer was sentenced to life in prison and citizens demand answers about the euthanasia of dogs at a local animal shelter: Heres a look... - November 16th, 2023 [November 16th, 2023]
- Darwin bishop ready to champion 'value of Christian life' as ... - Catholic Leader - July 26th, 2023 [July 26th, 2023]
- Suddenly hospital transfers are an issue? - BC Catholic - Multimedia ... - The B.C. Catholic - July 26th, 2023 [July 26th, 2023]
- Dutch government to expand euthanasia law to include children aged one to 12 an ethicist's view - The Conversation - April 23rd, 2023 [April 23rd, 2023]
- Thousands of signatures presented to Mexican Congress urging defeat of euthanasia bill - Catholic News Agency - April 23rd, 2023 [April 23rd, 2023]
- Is Government-Sanctioned Euthanasia Really That Far-Fetched? - The New York Sun - April 23rd, 2023 [April 23rd, 2023]
- Victoria's rising euthanasia rate shows governments won't bear the ... - The Catholic Weekly - April 23rd, 2023 [April 23rd, 2023]
- Experts looking into option of euthanasia for Noor Jehan - DAWN.com - April 23rd, 2023 [April 23rd, 2023]
- More than 70 dogs in PA at risk of euthanasia by next week amid canine flu outbreak - SILive.com - April 23rd, 2023 [April 23rd, 2023]
- Death Upon Request: Euthanasia and Assisted-Suicide - The Speaker - April 23rd, 2023 [April 23rd, 2023]
- BREAKING: Pontifical Academy of Life president calls medically assisted suicide feasible - Catholic News Agency - April 23rd, 2023 [April 23rd, 2023]
- What happens to animals who die at the zoo? - WGN TV Chicago - April 23rd, 2023 [April 23rd, 2023]
- Opinion | Medical Assistance in Dying Should Not Exclude Mental ... - The New York Times - April 23rd, 2023 [April 23rd, 2023]
- Watch: 'Why Are We Safeguarding Cells?' - Philosophy Teacher ... - Lovin Malta - April 23rd, 2023 [April 23rd, 2023]
- The Greatest Horror of 'Soylent Green' Isn't Soylent Green It's This - Collider - April 23rd, 2023 [April 23rd, 2023]
- Explained: Dying animals, lack of funds - distressing state of Pakistan zoos - WION - April 23rd, 2023 [April 23rd, 2023]
- Stray dog population control is dogged by bad science - The Hindu - April 23rd, 2023 [April 23rd, 2023]
- Euthanasia: Right to Die with Dignity - PMC - National Center for ... - April 14th, 2023 [April 14th, 2023]
- Pet assistance program - King County - April 8th, 2023 [April 8th, 2023]
- Euthanasia - MU School of Medicine - February 7th, 2023 [February 7th, 2023]
- Euthanasia | ama-coe - American Medical Association - February 7th, 2023 [February 7th, 2023]
- Euthanasia - Arguments in Favour and Against - ClearIAS - February 7th, 2023 [February 7th, 2023]
- Baton Rouge animal shelter overwhelmed, resorting to euthanasia: 'Please help us help them' - The Advocate - February 7th, 2023 [February 7th, 2023]
- Canadian religious leaders speak out as country set to allow euthanasia for mental illness - Fox News - November 25th, 2022 [November 25th, 2022]
- The History of the Euthanasia Movement | JSTORY Daily - November 5th, 2022 [November 5th, 2022]
- How Canada became a world leader in euthanasia - Spiked - October 25th, 2022 [October 25th, 2022]
- In places where it's legal, how many people are ending their lives ... - October 23rd, 2022 [October 23rd, 2022]
- Human Rights and Euthanasia - October 17th, 2022 [October 17th, 2022]
- 25 Bible Verses about Euthanasia - Human Life International - October 17th, 2022 [October 17th, 2022]
- Canadian moms harrowing tale shows the real dangers of legal euthanasia - Aleteia - October 17th, 2022 [October 17th, 2022]
- Is it time to rethink the laws on assisted dying? - podcast - The Guardian - October 17th, 2022 [October 17th, 2022]
- Alive offer free adoptions for dogs and puppies - mySA - October 17th, 2022 [October 17th, 2022]
- Animal shelters are overwhelmed - The West Volusia Beacon - October 17th, 2022 [October 17th, 2022]
- Poor Canadians are now willing to legally die instead of living in Trudeaus Canada - TFI Global News - October 17th, 2022 [October 17th, 2022]
- 43rd Senate District: Ashby, Smyth offer contrasts on farm overtime, other issues during virtual debate - The Post Star - October 17th, 2022 [October 17th, 2022]
- John Irving's latest novel is full of empathy and affection for his characters - NOW Toronto - October 17th, 2022 [October 17th, 2022]
- What passive euthanasia is - PubMed - October 6th, 2022 [October 6th, 2022]
- Mehmet Oz is facing accusations of animal abuse tied to medical research. Here's what you need to know - The Morning Call - October 6th, 2022 [October 6th, 2022]