🤝 Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill (Sixth sitting)

• The session focused on the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, with expert witnesses from Australia sharing their experiences with voluntary assisted dying laws.

• Dr. Chloe Furst, a geriatrician and palliative care specialist from South Australia, and a member of Voluntary Assisted Dying Australia and New Zealand, discussed the effectiveness of end-of-life medications. She confirmed no treatment failures in South Australia, emphasizing the peacefulness and reliability of the process.

• Alex Greenwich, an MP from Sydney who introduced voluntary assisted dying laws in New South Wales, highlighted that the legislation there has been instrumental in preventing suicides by providing a peaceful and controlled alternative for terminally ill patients.

• Professor Meredith Blake from the University of Western Australia, a professor of criminal law and health policy, pointed out the increasing utilization of voluntary assisted dying in Western Australia and the integration of palliative care, noting that over 80% of those accessing the scheme were also receiving palliative care.

• Discussions revealed that while different Australian jurisdictions had slightly varying legislation, common elements included ensuring patient autonomy in the timing and location of assisted dying, and rigorous assessment processes to confirm eligibility and lack of coercion.

• The integration of voluntary assisted dying with palliative care services was emphasized, with new healthcare professionals seeing it as a standard part of patient care. Concerns about potential reductions in palliative care funding were dismissed, with witnesses arguing that these services have benefited from the legislation.

• The training required for medical professionals involved in the assisted dying process was discussed, underscoring its importance due to the highly regulated and documented nature of the procedure, unlike other medical practices.

• Witnesses addressed the issue of coercion, emphasizing safeguards in place to ensure decisions are autonomous and well-informed, despite some concerns about definitions and enforcement.

• The impact of a so-called “gag clause” on discussing assisted dying options with patients was debated, with recommendations to treat it as any other medical option to ensure patients receive comprehensive information about end-of-life choices.

• The session also touched on broader societal concerns, such as potential abuse in elder care, and the emphasis on ensuring the legislation does not disadvantage disabled individuals or those with mental health conditions like anorexia, which are explicitly excluded from eligibility.

• Overall, the testimony provided insights into the practical application, societal implications, and efficacy of voluntary assisted dying laws in Australia, aiming to inform the UK’s approach to similar legislation.

The session displayed a moderate level of disagreement, primarily stemming from concerns around safeguards, coercion, and the impact of assisted dying laws on palliative care funding and suicide rates. The disagreements were not pervasive throughout the session but rather focused on specific issues raised by certain Members. Here are some examples:

1. Coercion Concerns: Danny Kruger (Con) questioned the lack of data on coercion and complications in South Australia. He specifically challenged Dr Furst’s statements about no evidence of coercion, asserting that such evidence is not collected or reported effectively. This indicates a clear disagreement on the thoroughness and transparency of the data regarding coercion and how it is monitored.

2. Palliative Care Funding: Kruger also challenged Alex Greenwich’s statement that voluntary assisted dying supports palliative care funding, citing specific figures to argue that funding for palliative care in New South Wales was cut rather than increased, countering the claim that assisted dying benefits palliative care.

3. Suicide Prevention: There was disagreement regarding whether assisted dying laws act as a form of suicide prevention. Kruger argued against Greenwich’s claim by referencing data that suggests an increase in unassisted suicide in regions with assisted dying laws, contrary to the assertion that it prevents suicide.

4. Safeguards and Gag Clauses: The discussion about gag clauses and whether they should be in place showed differing views on how doctors should communicate assisted dying options to patients. The role of safeguards and their potential as impediments to access was also a point of disagreement.

These disagreements were specific and targeted, but they did not dominate the entire session. Most of the exchanges were informative and cooperative, with witnesses providing detailed responses to questions posed by the Members. The level of disagreement rates at 2 because, while it was visible and on key issues, it did not overshadow the overall tone of the session.