What happens if I am too unwell to travel for a VAD assessment?
If you are too unwell to travel for VAD assessment, contact the VAD navigator quickly so they can check local, visiting or lawful remote options.
Contact the VAD care navigator or coordinating practitioner as soon as possible. They can check whether a practitioner can come to you, whether another lawful arrangement is possible, or whether the process cannot continue.
Do not wait until the planned appointment if your condition is changing quickly.
General information: This page gives general information for people in Australia. VAD assessment, practitioner travel and telehealth rules differ between states and territories. Confirm current options with the official VAD service.
Why this can affect the process
VAD assessment requires capacity, communication and legal steps. If you are too unwell to travel, you may also be at risk of becoming too unwell to complete the process.
The team may need to assess whether you can still understand, decide and communicate your request.
What else should be reviewed
Ask your palliative care team or doctor to review symptoms at the same time. Breathlessness, pain, delirium, nausea, fatigue or anxiety may need urgent care whether or not VAD proceeds.
You may also want to read
- Will a VAD doctor travel to me?
- Can VAD assessments be done by telehealth?
- What happens if someone loses capacity before completing the VAD process?