Assisted Dying Committee to discuss safeguarding medical professionals and assisted dying in New Zealand & Australia in two separate meetings

The first meeting will take place between 11:00-14:00 on the topic of safeguarding medical professionals. This is the fourth public meeting in a series of four in the Committee’s module examining potential safeguards in relation to assisted dying.

The Committee will hear from the following representatives:
• Representatives from the Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP)
• Representatives from the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO)
• Dr Mary Neal, Reader in Law, University of Strathclyde
• Dr Harvey Chochinov, Distinguished Professor of Psychiatry, University of Manitoba and Senior Scientist, CancerCare Manitoba Research Institute

The second meeting will take place between 19:00-22:00 on the topic of assisted dying in New Zealand and Australia. This is the fourth public meeting in a series of four in the Committee’s module examining the international context in relation to assisted dying. The Committee will hear from the following representatives:

19:00 – 20:30 Engagement on the topic of assisted dying in New Zealand
• Mr David Seymour, MP for Epsom New Zealand Parliament
• Dr Sinéad Donnelly, Consultant in Internal Medicine and specialist in Palliative Medicine, Wellington Regional Hospital, New Zealand

• Representatives from The New Zealand Ministry of Health
20:30 - 22:00 Engagement on the topic of assisted dying in Australia
• Dr Philip Haig Nitschke , Director & Founder Exit International, Australia
• Mr Mike Gaffney, Member of the Tasmanian Legislative Council
• Dr Greg Mewett, Palliative Care Physician Ballarat, Victoria, Australia

Speaking ahead of the meeting, Committee Cathaoirleach Deputy Michael Healy Rae said: “We welcome the opportunity to resume our discussion on the topic of safeguarding medical professionals and hear from representatives from Australia and New Zealand on their experience on assisted dying.”

“Among the topics we expect to discuss in relation to safeguarding medical professionals are conscientious objection, a potential opt-out or opt-in system for medics, the psychological effects on healthcare provider and Nurses and General Practitioners views on assisted dying.”

“In our second meeting, we will hear from representatives from Australia and New Zealand on the topic of assisted dying.”

“Assisted Dying became legal in New Zealand when the End-of-Life Choice Act 2019 (The Act) took full effect on 7 November 2021. The Act sets the eligibility criteria, assessment process and safeguards for the assisted dying service. The process for accessing assisted dying is set out in the Act. The steps involved include a doctor assessing whether the person is eligible; a second, independent doctor assessing whether the person is eligible; if required, a psychiatrist assessing whether the person is competent to make an informed decision; planning for the assisted death, including choosing a date and time and the method for the administering the medication and a doctor or a nurse practitioner (under the instruction of a doctor) administering the medication.

“Assisted dying in Australia falls under state and territory law rather than federal law. Voluntary assisted dying laws have been passed in all States. Assisted dying laws have commenced operation in Victoria, Western Australia, Tasmania, Queensland, and South Australia and will commence in New South Wales on November 28 2023. Assisted dying was legal for a period between 1996 and 1997 in the Northern Territory, until a federal law overturning the territory law (and removing the right of territories to legislate on euthanasia) was passed. This was repealed in December 2022 with the passing of the Restoring Territory Rights Act."

"While each State’s legislation is different, there are similar eligibility criteria in each for individuals seeking assistance in dying. A person must be: diagnosed with an incurable disease, illness or medical condition that is both advanced, progressive and will cause death within 6-12 months and
causing suffering that cannot be relieved in a manner the person finds tolerable.”

“We expect to examine whether eligibility criteria for accessing assisted dying broadened since its introduction in both jurisictions, find out more information on the demographic profiles of people accessing assisted dying and what kind of supports and/or training are available to health professionals involved in assisted dying in Australia and New Zealand."

Watch the meetings live here.