Since November 2021 people have been able to request an assessment and if eligible receive an assisted death. Every practice needs to be prepared for this conversation.
These resources will help ensure all of your practice staff feel informed and knowledgeable on the End of Life Choice Act implementation.
You do not have to be involved in providing assisted dying services if you have a conscientious objection.
Regardless of your personal beliefs you should still meet professional standards by not inhibiting someone’s access to lawful medical treatment and ensuring that continuity of care is maintained for a person requesting assisted dying.
If a medical practitioner with a conscientious objection is asked by a patient about assisted dying, they have certain responsibilities under the Act. They must:
The Act establishes the SCENZ Group to oversee a range of responsibilities related to assisted dying. These responsibilities include making and maintaining a list of health practitioners who are willing to provide assisted dying services. You can read more about the SCENZ Group on the Ministry’s website.
Other health practitioners with a conscientious objection can also follow these steps. They could also suggest that a person talks to their medical practitioner about assisted dying and/or direct a person to where they can find information about assisted dying.
The End Of Life Choice Act Pinnacle network clinical Zoom with Dr Kristin Good and Alastair Higham-Lee is an opportunity to hear from the implementation team how the act will change your practice, and where to access resources to learn more.
It's important all staff - not only clinical staff - feel informed and knowledgeable about the EOLC Act in case they receive questions from patients. This orientation guide (linked below) has been created to help Pinnacle practices get ready for implementation, outlining key information and discussion points including options and obligations, who has oversight of assisted dying, support for health professionals and peers, how to talk to patients about assisted dying and more.
We encourage practices to have a staff wide meeting to discuss the Act and the roles and responsibilities for your practice. This readiness guide can assist with this conversation.
Practices need to implement a policy for assisted dying services. There is a policy guidance document on the Ministry of Health website and you can use this Pinnacle template (Word doc) to develop a policy specific to your practice.
There are three e-learning modules about assisted dying that all health professionals are encouraged to complete. These can be accessed through KoAwatea Learn. In addition, there are five e-learning modules for medical and nurse practitioners who plan to provide assisted dying services. These cover the assessment process, preparations for an assisted death, assisted death and after-care, and practitioner safety and wellbeing. Practitioners can request access to these modules by emailing AssistedDying@tewhatuora.govt.nz.
Please create a LearnOnline account before emailing, and in the email provide your name, profession, date of birth, email connected to LearnOnline account, Medical or Nursing Council number.
Providers of the service will be required to complete the five e-learning modules to claim funding under the section 88 notice.
If you have questions, please contact Dr Jo Scott-Jones or email AssistedDying@tewhatuora.govt.nz.
The Ministry of Health has a number of additional resources that practices may want to use to further inform staff. These include the following.
These are also available through LearnOnline.
We will continue to update practices, and this page, as we receive new information.
The Assisted Dying service is sharing this update about the service specifications, payments and process in the hope of stimulating interest in doctors and nurse practitioners in becoming providers. As with all end of life care, this is complex work that can be incredibly rewarding. Dr Jo is happy to have a conversation with individuals or teams about the Assisted Dying service.
Read moreThe Service is intended to facilitate the care of terminally ill patients in their home or the practice environment by increasing access to primary care.
View detailsDr Jo Scott-Jones and Dr Dave Maplesden discuss acne treatment, prescribing and burnout, medication withdrawals, and more.