Healthy living
Voluntary assisted dying (VAD)

Voluntary assisted dying (VAD)

Voluntary assisted dying (VAD) refers to asking for medical help to end your life if you have a disease or illness that is so severe it is going to cause your death and your suffering cannot be relieved in a manner tolerable to you. VAD has been a legal end-of-life choice for eligible Western Australians since July 2021. 

VAD is a personal choice and should be treated as an integrated component of end-of-life care for those who choose to access it, alongside advance care planning and palliative care services.

Who to contact to discuss VAD
  • You can speak to your doctor or healthcare provider about your options and preferences for end-of-life care, including VAD
  • Patients, the family and carers of patients, members of the community, health professionals and service providers can contact the WA VAD Statewide Care Navigator Service (SWCNS) for information about VAD, including how to find a VAD provider.

Not all health services and facilities support VAD. If a health professional does not agree with VAD (often called a conscientious objection) they may suggest you talk with someone else. If they do not directly refer you to another health professional to discuss VAD, you can contact the WA VAD Statewide Care Navigator Service. The care navigators who staff the service are very experienced with the VAD process in Western Australia (WA).

The VAD process and eligibility

Several steps need to be taken to ensure that the person requesting access to VAD is eligible and that their request is informed, enduring and voluntary.

Information about the patient eligibility criteria and the steps of the VAD process is included in the approved information booklet (external site). This is the information that a medical practitioner is legally required to provide a patient who has requested VAD.

Making a first request for voluntary assisted dying

A discussion about VAD between a  patient and their care provider does not begin the VAD process. This requires the patient to make a formal first request to access VAD to a medical practitioner.

Anyone can make a first request to access VAD. However, a patient who is requesting access to VAD must make it clear that this is what they are doing.

A first request for VAD must be:

  • clear and unambiguous
  • made to a medical practitioner
  • made during a medical consultation or appointment
  • made in person (or, if this is not practical, via audiovisual communication where the patient and practitioner can both see and hear each other)

You are entitled to make multiple first requests. If you make a first request to a practitioner and it is refused, but you still wish to access VAD, you can choose to make another first request to a different medical practitioner. If you have been found ineligible for VAD but your circumstances have changed (e.g. your prognosis has changed), you can choose to make a new first request to the same medical practitioner or another medical practitioner.

Resources

Resources

Video

You can find more information on the Department of Health website (external site). 

Guides for completing forms and making requests
Sharing and providing feedback on your VAD experience

If you have had an experience with VAD, you are encouraged to to provide feedback to the VAD Board.  

The stories shared by patients, families, carers, friends, and healthcare staff helps the VAD Board to understand what is working well and what could be done better. All feedback, including compliments, concerns, and suggestions, is appreciated, and valued.

Provide you feedback

Complete the Voluntary Assisted Dying Personal Reflections Form (PDF 392KB) and submit throuh any of the options below.

  1. Email to VADBoard@health.wa.gov.au
  2. Post addressed to:
    Voluntary Assisted Dying Board Secretariat Unit
    Office of the Chief Medical Officer
    PO Box 8172
    Perth Business Centre
    Perth WA 6849
  3. Fax to (08) 9222 0399

The VAD Board is an independent body responsible for monitoring VAD in WA and suggesting ways in which the service can be improved. The VAD Board uses feedback from patients, families and health workers to improve the operation of VAD processes and inform safety and quality improvements relating to VAD in WA.

Grief and bereavement support list

Navigating the death of someone you love can be difficult. You may find talking through your concerns or challenges with someone helpful. If you are not comfortable or are unable to speak with friends or family, you can contact your doctor, or the WA VAD Care Navigator Service on (08) 9431 2755. The care navigators can refer you to the most appropriate service.

You can also get in touch with hotline or call-back services for support. See below for details of additional supports and information.

24/7 crisis services

Support services

  • 13YARN provide 24/7 crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
  • Beyond Blue call 1300 22 4636 (24/7 – phone, online)
  • Griefline call 1300 845 745 (8am to 8pm AEST Monday to Friday)
  • World Wellness Group (multicultural support) call 1300 079 020

Where to find more information

  • Speak to your doctor about your options and preferences for end-of-life care
  • Contact the WA VAD Statewide Care Navigator Service on (08) 9431 2755 or VADcarenavigator@health.wa.gov.au
Last reviewed: 17-06-2024
Acknowledgements
Health Networks

Related sites

Palliative Care WA helpline: 1800 573 299. White text on purple background. with two women talking on a bench in bottom right corner
Department of Health