VAD Practitioner Workshop (VAD) | Perth (Fiona Stanley Hospital)

Introduction

As you will be aware, Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD) is a legal end of life option for eligible patients since 1 July 2021. People in the advanced stages of a terminal illness now have a choice in the manner and timing of their death. As a clinician you may have experienced situations where your patients have sought information or access to VAD and perhaps have been unclear with how to address a First Request for VAD. Our legislation does enshrine the right to decline should you not wish to be involved in VAD, there is no need to continue reading if you do not wish to be involved.

Information on VAD can be found on the Department of Health (DoH) voluntary assisted dying website here.

Three types of participating practitioner will assist a patient to access VAD:

1. The coordinating practitioner is responsible for overseeing the majority of the VAD process
2. The consulting practitioner gives an opinion on eligibility against defined criteria
3. The administering practitioner administers the VAD substance (in cases where the patient has met the eligibility criteria for this option, in contrast to self-administration).

For information on Health Professional Participation – Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD) in Western Australia, click here.

Voluntary Assisted Dying Participating Practitioner Workshop

To participate in VAD within Western Australia and fulfil the above roles, there is mandatory DoH online VAD approved training that must be completed and we recognise that finding the time and opportunity to complete this can be a challenge in busy clinical contexts.

To support SMHS consultants interested in exploring key participating practitioner roles, we will be hosting a full day training workshop during which participants will complete the ~6-hour DoH mandatory training package together, with the opportunity for discussion and reflection during the session of any issues raised. The workshop will be conducted in a non-clinical area. We will have representatives from the Statewide VAD Services through the day, including Participating Practitioners.

It is hoped that consultants/eligible practitioners who subsequently would be willing to offer their expertise in facilitating assessments for VAD for SMHS patients will apply; including Nurse Practitioners.

The Practitioner Training Workshop will be held on Friday 11 August at the FSH Education Building, with the opportunity for a further workshop later in the year if demand is high. Lunch and morning tea are provided, please provide any dietary restrictions.

Practitioner Training – Preparation

Prior to attending the Voluntary Assisted Dying Participating Practitioner Workshop, it is vitally important to commence access to the DOH Mandatory training package. For information on health Practitioner Access to the WA Voluntary Assisted dying Approved Training click here and you’re encouraged to have completed the first 3 modules prior to the workshop. The Department of Health End-of-Life Care Program team can also provide support with accessing the DOH Mandatory training package VADApprovedTraining@health.wa.gov.au

If you would like to register for the workshop, please email smhs.vadprogrammanager@health.wa.gov.au RSVP 21 July