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11th February 2021

We recently ran a survey to identify the information, professional development and pastoral care needs for staff associated with Voluntary Assisted Dying.

This survey was created in response to concerns raised by health, aged care and community service professionals that they had not yet been made aware of training, professional development and pastoral care systems to support them once VAD was introduced on 1 July 2021.

While we recognise that VAD is not a part of palliative care, as the peak body we have a role to play in providing information and support to members and others in the sector who care for patients who may be eligible for, or are accessing, VAD. This includes those directly providing palliative care for patients, as well as those responding to questions from patients, family and friends.

We had very strong engagement in the survey and want to thank everyone who participated. A report summarising the results has now been released. Some key results include the following:

  • Almost all (97%) of respondents indicated some level of concern about having their information, professional development and pastoral care needs met in time for the introduction of VAD on 1st July 2021.
  • Nearly 90% of respondents indicated that they would like information as soon as possible or by early in 2021.
  • Webinars were the preferred mode for receiving information on most aspects of the delivery of VAD with the proviso that it included opportunities for Q & A.

For more information, including the qualitative themes that emerged from the many responses to the open-ended questions, please download the summary document HERE.

Posted in Research, Voluntary Assisted Dying