QUEENSLAND Deputy Premier Steven Miles said Church-run health facilities and nursing homes must allow voluntary euthanasia for terminally ill patients who could not or would not be moved to other facilities.<\/p>\n
Mr Miles announcement means Church-run facilities should not expect a blanket right of institutional conscientious objection.<\/p>\n
The bill will allow doctors to perform euthanasia on patients or residents at Catholic health facilities without asking for permission or notifying the facility.<\/p>\n
Brisbane Archbishop Mark Coleridge said Mr Miles statement was disappointing but not surprising.<\/p>\n
It would be good if he were as committed to providing palliative care for the many as he is to providing euthanasia for the few, Archbishop Coleridge said.<\/p>\n
He speaks of choice but what real choice is there when proper palliative care isnt available?<\/p>\n
The Deputy Premiers position in this debate is now clear.<\/p>\n
He may have carriage of the bill, but we hope that the Government can still see the need to respect the right of conscientious objection.<\/p>\n
Whatever Steven Miles views are, it wont stop Catholic health and aged care organisations from working for changes in the draft bill, especially at the point of conscientious objection.<\/p>\n
A new Catholic Health Australia website, which details the issues with the Voluntary Assisted Suicide legislation, has called for a genuine opt-out scheme for Catholic facilities and institutions.<\/p>\n
CHA has called for supporters to join a letter-writing campaign for properly resourced palliative and end-of-life services.<\/p>\n
Palliative care experts estimate an extra $275 million a year is needed to improve palliative care services across the entire state far more than the $171 million over six years the Queensland Government has pledged so far.<\/p>\n
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See more here:<\/p>\n
Moves on euthanasia 'disappointing' with lack of concern for conscientious objection - Catholic Leader<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" QUEENSLAND Deputy Premier Steven Miles said Church-run health facilities and nursing homes must allow voluntary euthanasia for terminally ill patients who could not or would not be moved to other facilities. Mr Miles announcement means Church-run facilities should not expect a blanket right of institutional conscientious objection Continue reading