Voluntary assisted dying laws will come into effect in South Australia at the end of January, giving people with terminal illnesses the choice of dying with dignity.

From January 31, South Australians will be able to make a first request for voluntary assisted dying, as dozens of eligible medical practitioners sign up to assist those in need.

The state government has committed more than $18 million over five years to support safe access to voluntary assisted dying.

Health and Wellbeing Minister Chris Picton says 42 doctors have registered and are undertaking the mandatory training required to conduct assessments for eligibility for voluntary assisted dying.

He says this is a critical safeguard embedded within the Voluntary Assisted Dying Act 2021.

“The implementation of VAD in South Australia has required careful and methodical work through all the legal, training, technology and health service requirements.

“It is welcome news that we have been able to recruit dedicated and committed staff to be care navigators, liaison nurses and pharmacists – as well as have dozens of doctors so far sign up for the necessary training, with more to follow.

“I want to thank everyone who has been involved in the implementation over the past year.”

A highly capable and experienced team of Care Navigators has been established with an interim Nursing Director, Emily Pumpa, appointed.

“Care navigators are nursing and allied health professionals with experience in complex and end of life care who manage queries related to voluntary assisted dying, facilitate connections between services, and support referrals to participating medical practitioners,” she says.

“From 31 January 2023 our team of dedicated and experienced professionals will provide assistance to people considering voluntary assisted dying, their family, friends and carers, health practitioners and health service providers.”

A VAD Liaison Nurse has also been appointed in each of the three adult metropolitan Local Health Networks, with another nurse also recruited for regional South Australia.

Access to VAD will include an assessment of eligibility with both an appropriately trained coordinating medical practitioner and a second independently trained consulting practitioner. 

A patient will be required to make three separate requests for voluntary assisted dying - one of which will need to be a written and witnessed request.

A final review is then required before applying for the permit, to ensure the application complies with the safeguards set out in the legislation. 

Once granted, the patient will be able to obtain medication for self-administration, or in certain cases administration via a medical practitioner.

Patients and medical practitioners will be supported along the VAD pathway by dedicated teams including pharmacists, care navigators and the VAD Review Board.

A patient information booklet, Knowing your choices: Information for people considering voluntary assisted dying, will be available to assist people considering the process.

Anyone wanting more information can contact the South Australian Voluntary Assisted Dying Care Navigator Service (SAVAD-CNS) via its website or by email and phone 0403 087 390 between 9am and 5pm.

The voluntary assisted dying pathway:

1.    Make a first request for voluntary assisted dying.

2.    Doctor completes a first assessment.

3.    A consulting doctor completes a second assessment.

4.    Complete a written declaration to access voluntary assisted dying.

5.    Make a final request for voluntary assisted dying.

6.    Choose a Contact Person.

7.    Doctor completes a final review.

8.    Doctor prescribes medication once permit approved.

9.    Arrange supply of medication with pharmacist.

10.  Decide to administer medication.

11.  Death certification.