Patients suffering incurable and terminal illnesses or medical conditions may be eligible under the Voluntary Assisted Dying Act 2017 (Vic) (Act) for access to voluntary assisted dying. However, under the Act, a registered health practitioner who has a conscientious objection to voluntary assisted dying has the right to refuse to provide information about voluntary assisted dying, or to assist and prescribe the voluntary assisted dying substance (Substance).
A survey by the Medical Oncology Group of Australia (MOGA) demonstrated only 20% of MOGA members would be prepared to write a prescription for the Substance, and an additional 36% would rather refer a patient to another specialist to write the prescription, than prescribe the Substance themselves. Overall, approximately 80% of MOGA members who undertook the survey would prefer to not be directly involved with the voluntary assisted dying process.
The survey indicated 92% of MOGA members supported the ability for practitioners to conscientiously object. Therefore, it will remain to be seen how many individual health practitioners undertake the relevant training and become involved in the scheme and whether this has an impact individuals’ access to the scheme.
To read the MOGA’s survey, click here.