THE capacity to consent to voluntary assisted dying (VAD) will come under the spotlight during a public forum at the Cavanbah Centre.
Scheduled for Saturday morning, 6 September, the “Optimal Ageing and Dying – The Choice is Yours” forum has been organised by a local group of volunteers known as ChiLL (Choices in Later Life).
VAD has been a choice in NSW for people with a terminal illness since November 2023, and it is now legal in all Australian states and the ACT.
Hundreds of Australian residents have chosen to “die with dignity” using VAD, including a number from the Coffs Coast.
VAD is not available to anyone who has lost capacity, and dementia is specifically excluded under NSW law.
Due to these rules, some people who wish to undertake VAD can not do so.
In some cases, people choose VAD earlier than they might prefer to avoid losing capacity, while others avoid pain-relieving medication that could affect their consciousness.
“I could see that this could be a potential problem when the legislation was introduced into the Parliament,” said Coffs Harbour MP Gurmesh Singh, who supported the new laws but believes that some ongoing refinements will be required.
Mr Singh will introduce the two visiting speakers, who will address questions, ethics and practicalities relating to VAD.
“Loss of capacity and dementia are the most common questions we are asked during our public education about VAD,” said guest speaker Dr Linda Swan, former GP and current CEO of Go Gentle Australia.
Dr Swan will review the practice of VAD across Australia and the rest of the world.
Dr John Ward, the second speaker, is a geriatrician who has practiced medicine for more than 55 years.
Dr Ward, who was NSW 2024 Senior Australian of the Year, said, “VAD for dementia will come eventually when some legal details are clarified.”
He will discuss options that lead to optimal ageing, problems in the assessment and management of dementia, and will explore “what is capacity?”.
ChiLL team leader Dr Max Brinsmead has called for a democratic debate on VAD after loss of capacity.
“With strong public support for VAD, it’s unlikely we’ll turn back the clock,” he said.
“Australia is the safest place in the world in its practice of VAD, but some of its rules here are causing more grief and suffering. Can we do better?”
Registrations are limited by the capacity of the Cavanbah Centre and can be made online at https://events.humanitix.com/optimal-aging-and-dying-the-choice-is-yours.
The event is made possible through a grant from City of Coffs Harbour Council and support from aged care provider Linked to Life, Go Gentle, Dying to Know Day and Woolworths.
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