NSW Voluntary Assisted Dying Act 2022
Royal Rehab Group Position Statement
The Royal Rehab Group, comprising Royal Rehab Ryde, Royal Rehab Private Ryde, Royal Rehab Private Petersham, Breakthru, Royal Rehab LifeWorks, and Sargood on Collaroy, carry the entrusted duty of supporting individuals throughout their life’s journey. The Royal Rehab Group honours each person’s right to make choices, respecting that those who are terminally ill or approaching the end of life are entitled to comfort and relief from pain and suffering.
Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD) legislation came into effect in New South Wales on 28 November 2023. VAD is the term used in the NSW Voluntary Assisted Dying Act 2022 (the Act) to refer to the administration of a Voluntary Assisted Dying Substance, and includes steps reasonably related to such administration. VAD applies to legislated processes that enable the administration of a controlled substance for the purpose of causing a person’s death.
Voluntary Assisted Dying as outlined by NSW Health, means an eligible person can ask for medical help to end their life. The person must be in the late stages of an advanced disease, illness or medical condition. They must also be experiencing suffering they find unbearable. ‘Voluntary’ means the choice must be the person’s own. The person must have decision-making capacity throughout the entire process to access voluntary assisted dying.
The Act allows for healthcare facilities in NSW to choose whether or not to participate in Voluntary Assisted Dying, this specifically applies to Royal Rehab Ryde, Royal Rehab Private Ryde and Royal Rehab Private Petersham.
While the Royal Rehab Group does not provide voluntary assisted dying services at any of its facilities, Royal Rehab Group deeply respects each individual’s right to choose VAD. The Royal Rehab Group honours clients’ choices and offers the necessary culturally safe support, information, referrals, and transfers required for them to exercise their legal right to access VAD. Clients pursuing VAD will always be treated with dignity and compassion. Their requests will be promptly addressed, empowering them to actively participate in decisions regarding their health and care. The Royal Rehab Group has established support structures to ensure that requests for VAD access are promptly directed to the appropriate practitioners.
If you have questions about Voluntary Assisted Dying in your personal circumstances, we encourage you to speak with your treating team.
For further information regarding Voluntary Assisted Dying in New South Wales please visit: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/voluntary-assisted-dying/Pages/default.aspx
