Tag: medically assisted dying (Page 1 of 5)

Federal Election 2022 – candidate support for restoring Right of Territories to make their Voluntary Assisted Dying law

09/05/2022 / Ian Wood

While there are many important issues that form part of Policies, or lack of Policies, in this Federal Election, restoring the Right of the Territories to make their own Voluntary Assisted Dying laws is surely one issue to be addressed, especially now that 5 Australian states now have a VAD law.

In view of this, I contacted each of the Federal Lower House candidates for Whitlam, where I am located in NSW, and the lead Senate candidates for every Party listed for NSW, asking if they would support a VAD law for the Territories, overturning of what is known as the ‘Andrews Bill’ at the time of the Howard Government, that took away the Right of the Territories to enact such a law..

Some of the responses were very thoughtful and supportive, and yet in so many other cases, I received no reply at all.

Here is a table summarizing the responses >

Party	Yes/no	Comment
Labor	Yes for Whitlam	Stephen Jones, Labor MP for Whitlam, has personally indicated his support for a VAD law to Ian Wood. No reply from Senate candidates for Labor
Coalition		No response from Liberal or National Party Senate candidates
Greens	Yes	Have a long standing policy of support for VAD laws.
United Australia	Yes	Allan Wode. United Australia Party candidate for Whitlam, stated – In regards to states and territories having the ability to pass VAD law, I do support this due to most have already made up their mind to do so. Based on the ability people have when they are at this stage of life, most cannot do anything about it so they live on in agony until the end. In saying that as with anything there needs to be clear and irrefutable evidence of being terminally ill and enduring suffering they find unbearable. Without clear guidelines on VAD laws it could be misconstrued as a way out for those that cannot help themselves out of depression or other illness to not be a contributor of society. Support by United Australia Party Senate candidates is unknown.
TNL		No reply
Great Australia		No reply
Reason	Yes	Jane Caro, Reason Party lead Senate candidate, strong support for a VAD law. Very understandable as the Reason Party in NSW was formerly the Voluntary Euthanasia Party.
Animal Justice	Yes	No reply but have supported VAD laws previously
Liberal Democrats		No reply from Michael Wheeler, candidate for Whitlam, nor from their Senate candidates
Indigenous-Aboriginal		No reply, contact email bounced!
Socialist Alliance		No reply
Australian Democrats		No reply
Australian Values	Yes	Stated – Per our Health Policy, we believe that such [VAD} laws should be standardised at the Federal Layer of Government. We have had enough of the States having different laws for the health and welfare of Australian Citizens. We are also pro-choice for people to make their own health decisions.
Citizens	Yes	Kingsley Liu, Citizens Party Senate Candidate stated – Yes. – they support restoring the Right for the Territories to have a VAD law, and a VAD law for NSW
Fusion	Yes	Andrea Leong Fusion Party Senate candidate stated- Voluntary assisted dying is an important aspect of the principle of self-ownership. Support for voluntary assisted dying is not a statement of any kind on the value of life, it is merely respect for the right of persons to make decisions on these matters for themselves in the light of their individual circumstances. While safeguards are necessary, all people should be allowed to live and end their lives with dignity and peace. Bans on voluntary assisted dying create a legacy of suffering and a shattering loss of dignity and autonomy.
Medical Options		No reply
Federal ICAC		No reply
Sustainable Australia	Yes	Late response. Sustainable Australia Party candidates do generally support states and territories making their own decisions on this issue and do generally support VAD laws.
One Nation	No	No reply, but have previously indicated One Nation do not support a VAD law.
Legalise Cannabis		No reply
Seniors United		No reply
SFFP		No reply re Federal Election. However for NSW Parliament we have this curious situation where the Shooters. Fishers and Farmer in HA support VAD and the Upper House MPs oppose!

Regardless of who ends up in Government, I sincerely hope that this Right of the Territories to make their VAD law can be restored. It is inequitable, discriminatory and inhumane that the ACT and the NT are currently excluded. We are still hoping that by the date of the Federal Election on May 19, NSW may have become the final state to pass their Voluntary Assisted Dying law.

Thank you for Continue reading

A Christian responds to QLD Bishop Timothy Harris and his article against voluntary assisted dying choice

03/06/2021 / Ian Wood

The Townsville Bulletin published a Letter to the Editor from Townsville Catholic Bishop Timothy Harris on 2.6.2021.

I responded with the following letter to editor, which has not been published by the Bulletin.

A Christian response to Catholic Bishop Harris “VAD Laws need rethink”, 2.6.2021

Bishop Harris states: VAD “laws will result in more deaths”. Fact: these patients are already dying – there will not be any more deaths, just less horrific suffering as that life ends.

Fact: While there will always be a place for good palliative care – no amount of money or advancements will ever provide the required level of relief of all suffering.

Harris quotes Paul Keating against VAD Choice! Fact: What on earth are Keating’s qualifications to allow him to pontificate on how other Australians should suffer and die?

Harris states: “society will never be the same again”. I imagine a similar remark was made at the end of the Catholic Inquisition, with the abolition of slavery and when women were allowed to have pain relief during childbirth! Hopefully we can say the same when there are no longer any paedophile priests?

Fact: A significant majority of Australians have stopped, have thought rationally, and decided that a change in our society is needed to allow the option to choose a Voluntary Assisted Death.

Bishop Harris is welcome to maintain his medieval outlook on dying but how dare he try to impose his views on all other Australians, including a majority of Christians.

Ian Wood National Spokesperson for Christians Supporting Choice for VAD Mittagong NSW

Here is the Bishop’s letter that I was responding to …….. Continue reading

“As a Christian theologian, I can state unequivocally that Maine’s Death with Dignity law is a blessing.” — Reverend Marvin Ellison, PhD

21/09/2020 / Ian Wood

Celebrating the Maine Death with Dignity Act that went into effect 19.9.2019

“It’s a blessing”

The Reverend Marvin Ellison, PhD, a Presbyterian minister and former Willard S. Bass professor of Christian ethics at the Bangor Theological Seminary in Portland, Maine, said his Christian beliefs inform his support for Maine’s law.

“As a Christian theologian, I can state unequivocally that Maine’s Death with Dignity law is a blessing.”

— Reverend Marvin Ellison, PhD

Photo supplied by Rev Ellison.

“It’s a blessing to those at the end of life who are ready to die, but for a variety of reasons are not able to die,” Marvin shared with us. “It’s a blessing to their family and friends, who pray that their loved one will not be forced, against their will, to experience a meaningless and protracted death but rather will have the means, when and if they so wish, to exit more gracefully.“

“It takes spiritual maturity to discern when death is no longer the enemy to resist, but rather has become the friend to welcome,” he added. “I thank God for the gift of Continue reading

WA Parliament passes Voluntary Assisted Dying legislation, 10.12.2019

13/12/2019 / Ian Wood

The WA Parliament passed its Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill on 10.12.2019. The House of Assembly first passed the Bill 45 votes to 11. It then moved to the Legislative Council, where, after protracted debate, it was passed 24 votes to 11 with 55 Amendments. These amendments were all agreed to by the Lower House, with no votes against. Western Australia has now joined Victoria. The margin of MPs in support is heartening.

I sincerely thank EVERY person involved in getting this legislation passed. It is an achievement of monumental proportions. My hope now is that Queensland and the other states will have the courage and compassion to pass their VAD legislation promptly. In addition, now is also the time to give the right to pass VAD legislation back to the Territories.

I have sent the following email to the Queensland Minister for Health, and intend to also send it on to the Health Ministers and Premiers in SA, NSW and Tasmania, and also their counterparts in Opposition.

Dear Hon Dr Steven Miles

It must be very rare to find a Minister for Health in tears (of compassion) when giving a speech. WA Minister for Health Roger Cook has done much to restore my faith and trust in the political system and democracy in Australia. He, and WA Premier Mark McGowan, have actually listened to the wishes of 88% of West Australians about Voluntary Assisted Dying and then acted upon them.

I pray that you, Dr Steven Miles, as Minister for Health in Queensland, will reflect on this over the Christmas break, and early in the new year show the same courage and compassion for people dying in Queensland, by giving them the legal choice of Voluntary Assisted Dying.

WA Minister for Health, Roger Cook, joins Premier McGowan, giving thanks in Parliament for the passing of the VAD Bill, 10.12.2019 – By a very appropriate coincidence, on World Human Rights Day.

https://www.facebook.com/MarkMcGowanMP/videos/2645272722434034/

Ian Wood condemns the Australian Christian Lobby and their quote: “Euthanasia is our vain attempt to deny and reject God’s plan for suffering”.

08/11/2019 / Ian Wood

Copy of letter from Christians Supporting Choice for Voluntary Assisted Dying. Please note this letter contains images that are disturbing.

4.11.2019

Mr Martyn Iles
Australian Christian Lobby
Eternity House
4 Campion Street
DEAKIN ACT 2600

Dear Mr Iles,
“God uses the challenges and trials of life, in all its phases and seasons, to train us and make us better” and “Euthanasia is our vain attempt to deny and reject God’s plan for suffering”. [To quote from a poster on your ACL Facebook]

What a horrible, vindictive, abusive, sadistic God you portray! Statements like yours make it readily understandable why Australians are leaving the church in droves.

Thankfully, my concept of God is of love, empathy and compassion. I was given a brain with which to think, and that thinking motivates me to aim to live a good and moral life, yet would also enable me to rationally choose a medically assisted death should I be faced with dying with intolerable suffering. You, and your associates at ACL, are of course welcome to suffer as much as you wish, as that would be your choice, but how dare you tell others what they must endure!

Let’s take just three case examples using your twisted logic. Thousands more are readily available.
Example 1.
Jason, a victim as a young child of the paedophile priest Gerald Ridsdale. You can read that Jason is certainly undergoing “the challenges and trials of life” and then you try to tell us that in some warped way your God is using these challenges to “train” Jason and make him “better”!!!!

Jason: “In 1976, when I was turning 13, I was attending the Mercy Nuns convent (St Malachy’s) at Edenhope. Father Gerry Ridsdale lived right near the school and he was the school manager. I was an altar boy and he was always asking me to come to his house, saying that he had some jobs for me to do there. My mother used to insist that I should go.

“He used to assault me at his house, in his car and at the church (including at the altar when the church was empty and locked). This went on for two years. He did everything to me that you can imagine. He penetrated me countless times.

“After each molestation, he would grant me Absolution,……”
(Ref: http://www.brokenrites.org.au/drupal/node/55 )

Example 2.
Flora, had been suffering from Multiple Sclerosis for 40 years, and for the last two years she was, quite rationally, pleading for help to die. Yet you are stating that these years of suffering are to “train” Flora and her loving daughter Tracey. You state Flora’s suffering is “God’s plan” and then cruelly say that Flora’s plea for assistance to die is her “vain attempt” to reject this plan Continue reading

A realistic insight into the limitations of palliative care by Beverley Young, retired Palliative Care Nurse Specialist.

09/10/2019 / Ian Wood

Palliative Care Nurse Specialist Beverley Young shares this very moving example of why palliative care can never adequately control all end of life suffering, and why the additional option of Voluntary Assisted Dying is needed. Just why this dying gentleman was moved from a major Sydney hospital for a skin graft is impossible to understand!
Ian Wood. Posted with permission.

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UNDERSTANDING END OF LIFE, PALLIATIVE CARE AND A REALISTIC INSIGHT INTO PALLIATIVE CARE AND END OF LIFE SUFFERING

Beverley Young

(Retired Palliative Care Nurse Specialist –20 years’ experience –Post Graduate Qualifications in Palliative Care)

I completed my Nursing Registration with a Diploma of Applied Science (Nursing) in 1988 from the Northern Rivers College of Advanced Education, Lismore, (now Southern Cross University). Following this, in early 1992,I completed my Bachelor’s Degree in Health Science (Nursing) from Armidale University, while in the Graduate Program at Lismore Base Hospital. In June 1992 I commenced work as a Registered Nurse in Palliative Care at a dedicated and well-known “Hospice” (for the dying) in Sydney.

In 1995 I completed Post Graduate studies in Advanced Palliative Care at The University of Technology,Sydney. During my employment at the well-known dedicated “Hospice” facility, I attained my accreditation as a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Palliative Care, and was employed there until July 2004. During this time, I was also seconded to another Hospital in the capacity of Clinical Nurse Specialist to work alongside a Palliative Care Specialist. Additionally, I served on the Community Palliative Care Team, as a Consultant. In the last 4 years of my employment I was a Level 11 Palliative Care Supervisor.

Palliative Care:

Palliative Care is delivered in a range of different environments and these include:

•Within a dedicated “Hospice” environment

•Within a general hospital setting where there may be dedicated “palliative care” beds or a “palliative care” section of the hospital

•Within a “Home” environment (e.g. Hospice Services) although the “Home” option is limited due to palliative care resources

Through my observations and experience I wish to state that Palliative Care may not be delivered to the same standard that you find in a “dedicated” Hospice environment. Standards vary because of insufficient training of doctors within a true palliative care setting.

Palliative care aims for excellence at all times but, despite this, the best efforts to achieve this continue to fail a small percentage of cases and people can and do suffer an horrendous end of life experience with many expressing the wish for their suffering “to be over”. There is also, sadly, a monumental “fail” at times, when medical professions choose not to acknowledge a patient’s terminal state, and continue to subject people to invasive procedures.

I have so many experiences to recount. For the purpose of this “post” I will discuss one example of how Palliative Care is not able to help with all suffering at the end stage of life. Similar experiences demonstrate why I advocate for exceptional palliative care –uniform and standardised –regardless of the palliative care environment in which it is delivered. My experiences also demonstrate why I fully support Voluntary Assisted Dying Legislation for those who seek this option to end suffering and die a peaceful death.

A Chinese gentleman, with advanced bowel cancer, came to the Hospice in which I worked, for “respite” care –he was referred to us from a large “general hospital”. The “plan” was “build up his condition in preparation for skin grafts to his buttocks”. A very unusual Continue reading

Belinda’s Brave Walk – to raise the profile of Voluntary Assisted Dying

28/05/2019 / Ian Wood

Belinda Teh starts her walk from Melbourne to Perth in memory of her Mum’s horrific and futile end of life suffering from breast cancer, to raise the profile of Voluntary Assisted Dying and to help convince MP’s of the need for this compassionate choice in Western Australia. Walk safely Belinda, with best wishes, Ian Wood

Belinda says: “As a devout Catholic and nurse for 39 years – much of her nursing career spent in aged care – my mum could hardly be better informed about the moral and medical considerations at the end of one’s own life.

My beautiful mum Mareia experienced a horrific death which modern medicine and caring specialists could not save her from – and I don’t want her suffering to be in vain.

I want WA to introduce voluntary assisted dying laws so that no Western Australian with a terminal illness has to die the way my mum did, enduring unspeakable pain and suffering that cannot be palliated in their final weeks, days and hours.

Mum was a devout Catholic her whole life and took much joy in practising her faith. Equally, the day she asked for assisted dying, she did so without a hint of shame, and to me that means that she had reconciled her religious beliefs with her personal wishes in her own way. I like to say that “she had a chat with the man upstairs, and they figured it out between them.”

I want to send a message of hope to other Western Australians who have had their hearts broken, and a message of urgency to the politicians who are representing us when I leave Melbourne on 28 May, as I plan to trek west on foot, arriving in Perth on 6 August.”

Belinda will be sharing her adventure on Facebook, you can stay updated by liking her Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/BelindasBraveWalk/

To read more about Belinda and her mum, and to support Go Gentle Australia, go to http://www.belindasbravewalk.org.au/

Photo and story quoted on this website with permission.

Gov Philip Murphy, compassionate statement when signing New Jersey Assisted Dying Act

21/04/2019 / Ian Wood

Governor Philip Murphy, of New Jersey, USA, a ‘lifelong practicing Catholic’, has signed the “Medical Aid in Dying for the Terminally Ill Act”, on April 12, 2019, and made this incredibly thoughtful and compassionate statement (below) in support of assisted dying choice, at the time of signing. Posted by Ian Wood.

https://nj.gov/governor/news/news/562019/approved/20190412a.shtml

New Jersey Gov Philip Murphy ……..
GOVERNOR’S STATEMENT UPON SIGNING
ASSEMBLY BILL NO. 1504
(Second Reprint)
Today I am signing the “Medical Aid in Dying for the Terminally Ill Act”, Assembly Bill No. 1504 (Second Reprint), which permits terminally ill, adult patients residing in New Jersey to obtain and self-administer medication to end their lives peacefully and humanely. I commend the bill’s sponsors — particularly Assemblyman Burzichelli, for whom this bill has been an extremely passionate and personal mission since he first introduced it seven years ago — for their tireless efforts to craft legislation that respects the dignity and autonomy of capable individuals to make end-of-life decisions.

The legislation I am signing today is the product of a near-decade long debate among policy makers, religious organizations, experts in the medical community, advocates for persons with disabilities, and patients, among many others. Without question, reasonable and well-meaning individuals can, and very often do, hold different moral views on this topic. Through years of legislative hearings, countless witnesses, many of whom shared deeply personal and heart-wrenching testimony, offered compelling arguments both in favor of and against this legislation.

As a lifelong, practicing Catholic, I acknowledge that I have personally grappled with my position on this issue. My faith has informed and enhanced many of my most deeply held progressive values. Indeed, it has influenced my perspectives on issues involving social justice, social welfare, and even those topics traditionally regarded as strictly economic, such as the minimum wage. On this issue, I am torn between certain principles of my faith and my compassion for those who suffer unnecessary, and often intolerable, pain at the end of their lives.

It is undeniable that there are people with terminal illnesses whose lives are reduced to agony and pain. Some of these individuals may thoughtfully and rationally wish to bring an end to their own suffering but cannot do so because the law prevents it and compels them to suffer, unnecessarily and against their will. I have seen such debilitating suffering firsthand in my own family, and I deeply empathize with all individuals and their families who have struggled with end-of-life medical decisions. As things now stand, it is the law, rather than one’s own moral and personal beliefs, that governs such decisions. That is not as it should be. After careful consideration, internal reflection, and prayer, I have concluded that, while my faith may lead me to a particular decision for myself, as a public official I cannot deny this alternative to those who may reach a different conclusion. I believe this choice is a personal one and, therefore, signing this legislation is the decision that best respects the freedom and humanity of all New Jersey residents. Continue reading

Christians Supporting Choice for VAD in Australia interview with Canadian Atheist.

18/02/2019 / Ian Wood

I was delighted to have the opportunity to be interviewed by journalist Scott Jacobsen of the Canadian Atheist. Scott posed a series of questions on my approach with Christians Supporting Choice for Voluntary Assisted Dying.

The full interview, with my answers to Scott’s questions, can be found here > https://www.canadianatheist.com/2019/01/wood-jacobsen/

I hope readers find the article of interest.

It is encouraging to Continue reading

Top Canadian CMA doctors Buchman and Blackmer speak to UK Parliament in support of assisted dying

28/01/2019 / Ian Wood

My thanks to My Death, My Decision for posting this article on their Facebook page. Ian Wood

Dr Sandy Buchman, President-elect of the Canadian Medical Association addressed a UK Parliamentary group. December 11, 2018

“I see assisted dying as one more tool in the service of palliative care’s core mission of alleviating suffering” – Dr Sandy Buchman, Canada.

As a palliative care specialist, Dr Buchman acknowledged that his personal journey towards accepting assisted dying had spanned over two years. He stressed that it was his belief high quality palliative care was key to good end of life planning, but that assisted dying did not threaten the provision of such care, but somewhat perversely strengthened the case for ensuring that palliative care was accessible and available.

Closing on a personal example, Dr Buchman explained that whilst he was initially hesitant about the prospect of assisted dying, he ultimately decided that helping patients who wanted to decide when and how they died, was an extension of what he had been doing already: helping to relieve suffering.

Dr Buchman explained that when he first participated in an assisted death, for a professor of medicine suffering from Lewy body dementia, he had been struck by the sense of “illumination”, as though “a weight had been lifted”, when he agreed to discuss the prospect of an assisted death, let alone participate. He explained that whereas before his patient had explained he felt hopeless, especially after exhausting the options of traditional palliative care, the option of an assisted death enabled the patient’s mood to lift, and allowed him the dignity to die from a peaceful death surrounded by those he loved.

Ian Wood comments: I frequently read how the option of assisted dying, once the patient has been accepted, is palliative in its own right and a tremendous morale booster for that dying person.

Dr Sandy Buchman, the President-elect of Canada’s Medical Association, who was joined by his Vice-President Dr Jeff Blackmer, discussed the role doctors had played in shaping Canada’s decision to legalise assisted dying in 2016. Continue reading