Some people who want to access voluntary assisted dying may not be able to as they do not (or currently do not) meet the eligibility criteria in the Voluntary Assisted Dying Act 2017.
Health practitioners should be prepared to provide support to patients who have asked for access to voluntary assisted dying but are not eligible.
Using the PREPARED strategy
Health practitioners should consider using the PREPARED strategy to explain to a patient that they are not eligible and to explore other options.
| Prepare for the discussion |
|
| Relate to the person |
|
| Elicit patient preferences |
|
| Provide information |
|
| Acknowledge emotions and concerns |
|
| (Foster) Realistic hope |
|
| Encourage questions and further discussions |
|
| Document |
|
This table is adapted from Josephine M Clayton, Karen M Hancock, Phyllis N Butow, Martin H N Tattersall and David C Currow, ‘Clinical practice guidelines for communicating prognosis and end-of-life issues with adults in the advanced stages of a life-limiting illness, and their ’ (2007) 186 (12) Medical Journal of Australia S77.
This video provides an example of a conversation a coordinating medical practitioner may have with a patient who has been found ineligible to access voluntary assisted dying. The video considers how a coordinating medical practitioner may explore other options with a patient.
Consider referral to the Statewide Care Navigator Service
In some situations, health practitioners may consider suggesting a patient contact the Statewide Care Navigator Service – for instance, if the patient may be eligible for voluntary assisted dying in the future.
Many people get comfort in connecting with health practitioners who can provide information and links to a variety of support services, particularly when a person may have to wait some time before they may be eligible for access to voluntary assisted dying.
Talking to the care navigators can help a patient to feel well informed and know that when the time is right, they have a plan to commence the voluntary assisted dying process.
The care navigators may also be able to assist an ineligible person with some costs for alternative end life care services.
For more information and contact details, see Statewide Care Navigator Service.
Explore other end of life care options
Voluntary assisted dying provides a small number of people with an additional choice about the manner and timing of their death.
For most people, existing end of life care services will ensure they are comfortable at the end of their life and that their death occurs in accordance with their preferences and values.
Even for those people who are eligible, voluntary assisted dying will only be a small component of the care and support they receive.
There are a range of options available to people to support symptom management and allow them to live and die in accordance with their preferences and values. Health practitioners must ensure people are aware of all their options and understand that options other than voluntary assisted dying may allow them to fulfil their end-of-life goals.
Advance care planning
Advance care planning may provide the patient with an opportunity to identify their preferences and values and to ensure these will be followed at the end of their life.
If a patient is not eligible for voluntary assisted dying, it is appropriate for health practitioners to have a conversation with them about their preferences and values. This may include:
- discussing what motivated them to ask for voluntary assisted dying.
- identifying any concerns or existing suffering that may have prompted the request.
- considering how their needs may be met in other ways.
Empowering a patient through advance care planning may be particularly important if they are not eligible for voluntary assisted dying and feel as though their concerns are not being addressed.
For more information, see Advance care planning.
Palliative care
Palliative care can improve a person’s quality of life by addressing physical, emotional, psychological, social and spiritual symptoms associated with their illness.
The types of palliative care and support needed by a patient, their family and carers will vary and may include one or more of a range of formal and/or informal supports. This may include:
- community, disability, aged and social services
- specialist palliative care
- general practice and primary care
- other specialist services.
People's palliative care requirements will change over time. It is important their needs and preferences are reassessed regularly and services are adapted accordingly. This includes the needs of families and carers as well as the patient with a life limiting illness.
If the patient is in the community or the person will be discharged from an inpatient facility and they are not receiving community palliative care, health practitioners should consider whether this is appropriate in the circumstances. For more information, see Ready For Community Palliative Care.
A request for voluntary assisted dying may be a prompt to explore the patient's current palliative care support and consider how this could be adapted to better meet their needs.
Any patient considering voluntary assisted dying should be informed about:
- their palliative care options
- how palliative care can support their holistic symptom management.
If a patient is found to not be eligible for voluntary assisted dying, health practitioners should consider how expanded palliative care and community services may support them.
More information
For more information on palliative care, see
Reviewed 30 April 2024