The Royal Australian College of GPs (RACGP) has welcomed proposed changes to Victoria's voluntary assisted dying laws.
It comes after the Victorian Government committed to update the laws to make the system clearer and more compassionate for terminally ill patients who are living in pain and want to end their life with dignity.
RACGP Victoria Chair Dr Anita Muñoz backed the reforms.
"These changes are a sensible step forward for voluntary assisted dying in Victoria," she said.
"I thank the Victorian Government for listening to the College and acting decisively to further improve the state's scheme. Victoria led the way in becoming the first Australian jurisdiction to introduce voluntary assisted dying laws. Now, the Government is addressing concerns about the operation of the scheme so that patients across our state can access this end-of-life care without undue stress or inconvenience.
"We warmly welcome the changes that will allow registered health practitioners to raise voluntary assisted dying during discussion about end-of-life options. The removal of this 'gag clause' will have such a meaningful impact, as will extending the life expectancy limit for eligibility from six months to a year.
"Perhaps most significantly of all, we welcome the introduction of a new administering practitioner role to expand the workforce able to support voluntary assisted dying, and the College looks forward to working closely with the Government to better understand the finer points of this reform and the role of GPs and practice teams.
"Since the inception of the state's scheme, too many people living outside of major cities have faced unfair obstacles that limit their capacity to access voluntary assisted dying. Patients in excruciating pain who are immobile and only want to end their suffering have had to travel many hours to consult with non-GP specialists such as oncologists. By ending that requirement, we can ensure that voluntary assisted drying is accessible for terminally ill people in rural and remote communities across Victoria."
Dr Muñoz described the changes as timely and considered.
"Every patient, no matter their postcode, deserves to die with dignity and not have to experience unnecessary suffering in their last weeks and months," she said.
"Voluntary assisted dying is an emotive and, at times, divisive issue, and I'm mindful that there are a range of different views within general practice and the larger community.
"Ultimately, the College does support patient-centred decisions on end-of-life care, and we respect that this may include palliative care and requests for voluntary assisted dying. Today's announcement is welcome news and will ensure that more people can access voluntary assisted dying when they're terminally ill, particularly those living outside of major cities.
"By removing barriers to this type of end-of-life care, we can ensure that a postcode lottery doesn't determine who has access, and who doesn't.
"It's the right thing to do after listening to the experts and those impacted by the limitations of the current scheme. Once again, I congratulate the Government on advancing these reforms and we look forward to working with them to ensure that our voluntary assisted dying scheme meets the needs of all patients who simply want to die with dignity."
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