The approaching introduction of Voluntary Assisted Dying will change the end-of-life landscape in Western Australia. Palliative care and VAD will need to coexist in order to meet the needs of Western Australians and support them at end-of life.

In the results of our recent sector survey, almost all respondents expressed a level of concern about having their information, professional development and pastoral care needs met in time for the introduction of VAD. In response, sector forum aims to provide a detailed update on the implementation of VAD and the healthcare responsibilities for its delivery in WA, as well the opportunity to hear about, and learn from, some experiences of the delivery of both palliative care and VAD in Victoria and Canada.

Importantly we will also provide the voice of lived experience as we hear from a family member of someone who chose to access VAD in Victoria.

Palliative Care WA has presented an election ask to the WA Labor and Liberal parties, detailing a project that has the potential to be a game changer for the people of Western Australia.

The project involves developing a consumer awareness campaign, a follow-up to the hugely successful 2019 You only die once campaign, and then delivering ‘train-the-trainer’ style ACP workshops across WA aiming to facilitate education within several WA communities.

For a modest investment the WA Government has the opportunity to enable WA to once again lead the way in increasing both community awareness of, and engagement in Advance Care Planning.