NSW Voluntary Assisted Dying Conference

On Friday 29 September 2023, NSW Health held the NSW Voluntary Assisted Dying Conference at ICC Sydney. Healthcare workers and interested community members were invited to learn how voluntary assisted dying will be implemented in NSW and hear from experts from other states.

The program featured:

• an address by The Hon. Ryan Park MP, Minister for Health and Minister for Regional Health
• an address by Mr Alex Greenwich MP, who introduced the Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill to Parliament in 2021
• stories from patients and families who have had a direct experience with voluntary assisted dying in other states
• an overview of voluntary assisted dying in NSW
• presentations from clinicians involved in providing voluntary assisted dying services in other states.

Opening session and Welcome to Country

This recording features:

• Dr Roger Harris, Master of Ceremonies
• Uncle Allan Murray, Metro Local Aboriginal Land Council

Supporting a loved one through voluntary assisted dying – Maya's story told by her daughter Dana

Address by The Hon. Ryan Park MP, Minister for Health and Minister for Regional Health

Address by Mr Alex Greenwich MP, Member for Sydney

Address by Dr Kerry Chant, Chief Health Officer

Overview of voluntary assisted dying in NSW

This recording features Dr Wade Stedman, NSW Voluntary Assisted Dying Implementation Clinical Lead.

Supporting patients and practitioners throughout the voluntary assisted dying process

This recording features:

• Prof Liz Reymond, Director - QLD Voluntary Assisted Dying Support and Pharmacy Service
• Samantha Ferguson, NSW Care Navigator Service Team Leader

Understanding the supply, administration and pharmacy process

This recording features:

• Prof Michael Dooley, Director - VIC Voluntary Assisted Dying Pharmacy Service
• Suzie Olding, Pharmacy Lead - NSW Voluntary Assisted Dying Pharmacy Service

Going through the voluntary assisted process: personal reflections – Dan and Laury's story

Examples of voluntary assisted dying service delivery and models of care

This recording features:

• Elise Jochinke, Voluntary Assisted Dying Project Coordinator – Hunter New England Local Health District
• Prof Michael Boyer, Chief Clinical Officer – Chris O'Brien Lifehouse
• Dr Clare Fellingham, Voluntary Assisted Dying Clinical Lead - East Metropolitan Health Service WA
• Dr Cameron McLaren, Clinical Oncologist - VIC

Panel discussion

This panel discussion is a Q&A session featuring speakers from the day's previous sessions:

• Dr Wade Stedman, NSW Clinical Lead Voluntary Assisted Dying
• Ms Samantha Ferguson, NSW Care Navigator Service Team Leader
• Prof Liz Reymond, Director - QLD Voluntary Assisted Dying Support and Pharmacy Service
• Prof Michael Dooley, Director - VIC Voluntary Assisted Dying Pharmacy Service
• Dr Clare Fellingham, Voluntary Assisted Dying Clinical Lead - East Metropolitan Health Service WA
• Dr Cam McLaren, Clinical Oncologist - VIC