Voluntary Assisted Dying Clinical Guideline for Health Practitioners
Version 1.0 approved 29 November 2022
The purpose of the Voluntary Assisted Dying Clinical Guideline for Health Practitioners (PDF 1.13MB) is to support health professionals to understand the Voluntary Assisted Dying Pathway and their obligations under the Voluntary Assisted Dying Act 2021 (SA) when providing care and support to people accessing voluntary assisted dying.
Voluntary assisted dying is intended to be another end of life choice as part of high quality, patient-centred end of life care.
This guidance is designed for:
- medical practitioners who participate in voluntary assisted dying
- health practitioners who provide care and support to people accessing voluntary assisted dying
- any health professional learning more about voluntary assisted dying in South Australia.
This guidance can be used across a range of health care settings including private and public hospitals, community health services, primary care health services, residential aged care facilities and a patient’s home.
This guidance is not intended to be exhaustive. Health professionals participating in voluntary assisted dying should:
- familiarise themselves with the Act
- familiarise themselves with any local policies and procedures at facilities where they may deliver or engage with voluntary assisted dying services
- complete the relevant voluntary assisted dying training
- utilise any related supporting documents
- draw on their existing clinical knowledge and expertise.
A list of related supporting documents is available at the end of this guidance.