What happens after a VAD death?
After a VAD death, the usual after-death steps still happen, but some paperwork and reporting are handled through the state or territory VAD system.
After a voluntary assisted dying (VAD) death, the person is cared for in much the same way as after any expected death. Family or friends may spend time with them. A doctor or authorised health professional confirms the death, paperwork is completed, and a funeral director is contacted when the family is ready.
There are also VAD-specific reporting steps. These are handled by the VAD practitioner, pharmacy service, care navigator or review board, depending on the state or territory.
General information: This page gives general information for people in Australia. VAD rules differ between states and territories. Confirm current rules and individual steps with the relevant VAD care navigator service, coordinating practitioner or treating team.
The first few hours
If the death was planned and expected, there is usually no need to call 000. Follow the plan given by the VAD team, palliative care team or doctor.
The people present may want quiet time before making calls. This is usually okay unless the VAD team has given a different instruction.
The VAD practitioner or another authorised person may need to be contacted. They may arrange for the death to be verified, complete required forms, and tell the VAD review body.
What happens to the medicines
Unused VAD medicine must be handled under strict rules. Do not keep it, move it without instruction, give it to anyone else, or dispose of it yourself unless the VAD team has told you exactly what to do.
The pharmacy service, contact person or coordinating practitioner will explain what must happen. In some places a named contact person has legal duties after the death.
Funeral and death paperwork
A funeral director can usually collect the person's body once the required death verification or certification steps have happened. The funeral director often helps with registration paperwork.
The medical paperwork may include information for the registry, coroner or VAD review board. What is written where differs by jurisdiction.
When to get help now
Call the VAD team, palliative care team, doctor or nurse if you are unsure what to do with the medicine, who to call, or whether the death has been verified.
Call 000 if the death was sudden, violent, suspicious, not part of the expected plan, or there is immediate danger to someone present.
You may also want to read
- What appears on the death certificate after VAD?
- Who can be present during a VAD death?
- What happens immediately after someone dies at home?