The McGowan Government has today announced the inaugural membership of the Voluntary Assisted Dying Board.
The five-member board will have a mostly advisory and monitoring function in relation to voluntary assisted dying which will become an end-of-life option for eligible Western Australians from July 1.
The board will ensure adherence to the legislation and report to the State Government as necessary on quality and safety improvements related to voluntary assisted dying.
While initial appointment to the board is for a term of no more than three years, members may be reappointed beyond that period.
The board will be chaired by general practitioner and former AMA WA branch president, Dr Scott Blackwell. Dr Blackwell has expertise in palliative and aged care and has chaired the Implementation Leadership Team on voluntary assisted dying.
The other members of the board are:
- Colin Holt (Deputy chairperson)
Mr Holt recently retired as Member of the Legislative Council for the South West Region. He was also deputy chairperson of the Joint Select Committee on End of Life Choices.
- Dr Robert Edis
Dr Edis is a consultant neurologist with a particular interest in motor neurone disease and is the vice president of the Motor Neurone Disease Association of WA.
- Maria Osman
Ms Osman is a senior consultant and advisor specialising in human rights, diversity and gender matters and is a former executive director of the WA offices of Multicultural Interests and Women's Policy. She was on the Ministerial Expert Panel on voluntary assisted dying.
- Linda Savage
Ms Savage is a former director of the Social Security Appeals Tribunal and a legal member of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal. She has also been a Member of the Legislative Council.
As stated by Health Minister Roger Cook:
"This is another significant step in Western Australia's journey to introducing Voluntary Assisted Dying.
"It was an extremely emotional day when the Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill passed through Parliament on December 10, 2019.
"Since then the Department of Health has led the work to turn the Bill into reality.
"The 18-month implementation period has been highly productive.
"There has been so much excellent work from the Implementation Leadership Team, chaired by Dr Scott Blackwell, and its experts from a range of disciplines and backgrounds including medical, nursing, primary health, Aboriginal health and consumer experience.
"It has been a thorough process which is now on the cusp of introduction on July 1.
"The Voluntary Assisted Dying Board will play a crucial role in overseeing its introduction and implementation.
"We are pleased to have members with such diverse experience and expertise as well as compassion and commitment to providing an additional choice to eligible Western Australians at the end of life."
