Voluntary Assisted Dying Board of WA visits Geraldton to ensure community’s questions are answered

Eighteen Mid West residents have chosen to end their lives while only two local medical practitioners have been accredited since voluntary assisted dying legislation was introduced in WA in 2021. The Voluntary Assisted Dying Board of WA held a community information session in Geraldton last week to soundboard concerns and questions from the Mid West community. Since VAD was legalised in 2021, 600 West Australians have ended their lives through the pathway. About 30 people attended the information session, which chairman of the board Scott Blackwell said helped deliver vital feedback. “We wanted to listen to people and inform them. It gives a personal face-to-face view,” he said. Dr Blackwell explained health services in the regions were challenged, and a personal interaction with the community helped ensure there were appropriate services being provided for those looking into an assisted death. “We’re particularly concerned there are only two doctors accredited to provide VAD services (in the Mid West). We’ve been meeting with nurse practitioners to update them and seek their interest,” Dr Blackwell said. The Mid West is “per capita, it’s line ball with everywhere else”, he added. The age range of people seeking end-of-life plans using the VAD scheme is broad, from people in their 20s up to those aged more than 100, but the most of those seeking an assisted death are above 70. “The most common reason is cancer, closely followed by neurodegenerative disorders. Around 70 per cent of people have a cancer diagnosis,” Dr Blackwell said. The topic of assisted deaths has been contentious since it was legalised in WA three years ago, but Dr Blackwell wanted people to know one thing. “I think essentially what we’re doing with VAD is looking at people who have trouble coping with what really, is their choice — to avoid that suffering. It’s not anything that will be imposed on anybody else,” he said. Dr Blackwell, who has more than 40 years experience in aged care and primarily works in residential aged care, emphasises the wrap-around services available for those choosing an assisted death, and their families. “When you die, you don’t die alone,” he said. “We’re very in tune with that and we’re making sure the treatment services are adapted.”