Will my palliative care team still care for me if I ask about VAD?
A palliative care team should keep caring for you if you ask about VAD, although individual staff may have different roles or objections.
Your palliative care should not stop because you ask about voluntary assisted dying (VAD). Palliative care is still there to treat symptoms, support your family, help with planning and respond to distress.
Some clinicians may not take part in VAD. That does not mean you should be abandoned or left without care.
General information: This page gives general information for people in Australia. VAD obligations differ between states and territories. Confirm current pathways with your palliative care team, health service or VAD care navigator.
Different staff may have different roles
One doctor or nurse may be willing and authorised to help with VAD. Another may object or may not be trained. A service may have a policy about what it will and will not do.
Even when a staff member does not participate in VAD, they can usually continue ordinary palliative care.
Ask for a clear plan
You can ask:
- "Will you keep caring for me if I ask about VAD?"
- "Who can answer my VAD questions?"
- "If you do not provide VAD, who can I contact?"
- "What happens if my symptoms get worse while I am being assessed?"
These are fair questions.
You may also want to read
- Can someone receive palliative care while pursuing VAD?
- What happens if my GP objects to VAD?
- What happens if my hospital, hospice or aged-care facility does not participate in VAD?