Sustainability of the WA VAD workforce was identified as a key issue in a statutory review of WA’s Voluntary Assisted Dying Act 2019.
The review panel praised the dedication and professionalism of the VAD workforce but noted demand for services had been higher than expected, leading to challenges in practitioner resourcing.
Even though the WA Government has established a remuneration model to support VAD practitioners, introducing MBS items for VAD would “expand workforce capacity, mitigating the risk of practitioner burnout and attrition” as well as improving equity of access for those who can’t afford privately billed medical care.
The ban on telehealth in VAD service provision was also affecting practitioners and their patients in rural and regional areas.
The review panel found the Act was working as intended, but made 10 recommendations, aiming to address gaps in awareness, education, regional access and workforce sustainability.
The review found there was confusion among health practitioners who wrongly believed that initiating discussions about VAD was prohibited, and that there was a need for better training and education.
Institutional conscientious objection was also raised as a barrier to access.
WA Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson accepted the panel’s 10 recommendations, after the report was tabled in the WA Parliament on November 28, 2024.
The review panel concluded overall that the Act is operating effectively and does not require legislative amendment. The scope of the review did not include examining eligibility criteria for VAD.
“Processes provided under the Act are generally operating well in supporting all those involved in providing and accessing voluntary assisted dying,’’ the panel noted.
