Australian voluntary assisted dying (VAD) laws are very similar, but how VAD is implemented by each state and territory can make a significant difference.
Recently published research by Ben White, Amanda Ward, Rachel Feeney, Laura Ley Greaves and Lindy Willmott examines how the VAD system has been working in Queensland since it began in January 2023.
Some key findings were that VAD is accessed almost exclusively through the public sector in Queensland, and that nurses play a significant role in supporting access to VAD. Part of this is due to important components of Queensland’s implementation of VAD including the Queensland VAD Support and Pharmacy Service (QVAD SPS) and the government Health Service Directive, which required all 16 Health and Hospital Services to have a ‘model of care’ for providing VAD.
More information
A research briefing is available on eprints.
