Can a facility stop a VAD practitioner from visiting me?
Whether a facility can stop a VAD practitioner visiting depends on state or territory law and the type of facility.
It depends where you are. Some states and territories place duties on hospitals, hospices and aged-care facilities to allow reasonable access by VAD practitioners, care navigators or other people involved in the process. Other laws are less direct.
Because the answer is legal and location-specific, do not rely on general advice alone.
General information: This page gives general information for people in Australia. VAD facility-access rules differ between states and territories. Confirm current rules with the official VAD care navigator service or a lawyer.
Ask the VAD navigator early
If you live in a facility or are admitted to hospital, contact the official VAD navigator service as early as you can. They can explain the local law and help work through access, transfer or practitioner arrangements.
You can ask the facility for its VAD policy and for the name of the person responsible for decisions about visiting practitioners.
Care must still be respectful
Even if a facility does not provide VAD, it should continue ordinary care. You should not be denied pain relief, nursing care, palliative care or personal care because you asked about VAD.
You may also want to read
- What happens if my hospital, hospice or aged-care facility does not participate in VAD?
- What happens if I become too sick to transfer to another facility for VAD?
- How do I find a doctor who provides VAD?