Clinician perspectives: a multisite survey of clinical staff across NSW to inform VAD implementation planning
Linda Sheahan1, South East Sydney Local Health District Clinical Ethics Service Randwick2, Randwick NSW3, NSW Australia 1South East Sydney Local Health District Clinical Ethics Service, Randwick, NSW, Australia2UNSW Medicine, University of New South Wales, Randwick, NSW, Australia3Sydney Health Ethics, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
Abstract
Mid last year, New South Wales became the last state in Australia to pass voluntary assisted dying (VAD) legislation, coming in to effect on 28 November 2023. In anticipation for this practice change, and in light of the lessons learnt in other states around Australia who have already implemented VAD legislation, the SESLHD Clinical Ethics Service conducted an online survey of clinicians, to inform the local health district’s approach to implementing the VAD law, and help it support clinical staff in the context of this change. This work rapidly expanded into a multi-site research project which involves three other Local Health District collaborators (Northern Sydney, Northern NSW and Western NSW).
The study sought the perspectives of all clinical staff, which included practitioners who may be eligible under the law to undertake roles directly related to VAD, as well as staff who may be formally involved in parts of the VAD process, or involved in the care of patients who request or undergo VAD. The findings are broad ranging and inform planning across the state, including comprehensive information relating to staff awareness of and attitudes to legalisation of VAD, staff willingness or unwillingness to participate in VAD-related roles or processes, and staff views of anticipated challenges and potential supports that may be sought during implementation.
This paper will outline the key findings relating to clinical staff across NSW as they plan for VAD implementation, and contextualise these in the broader Australian landscape of VAD legalisation across the board.
Biography
Linda is a Clinical Ethics Consultant who leads the Clinical Ethics Service for South East Sydney Local Health Service, and holds affiliations with UNSW Medicine, Sydney Health Ethics at the University of Sydney, and the Joint Centre for Bioethics in Toronto. She is also a palliative care physician, and the Clinical Stream Director for End of Life and Palliative Care across SESLHD.