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  4. Can I talk about voluntary assisted dying with my doctor?
What is voluntary assisted dying? Is voluntary assisted dying the same as euthanasia? Is voluntary assisted dying legal in Australia? I live in the NT. Can I access voluntary assisted dying? Who can use voluntary assisted dying in Australia? How can I find out more about voluntary assisted dying laws in my state? I am terminally ill and want to find out more about voluntary assisted dying. Who can I contact? I have dementia. Can I apply for VAD? I'm a health professional. How can I learn more about voluntary assisted dying in my state? What other end-of-life options are available? What is the assessment process for voluntary assisted dying? How long does the voluntary assisted dying application take? How much does voluntary assisted dying cost? Does voluntary assisted dying affect insurance payouts? Can I die at home with voluntary assisted dying? Can I travel between states to use voluntary assisted dying somewhere else? Is voluntary assisted dying safe? Can I talk about voluntary assisted dying with my doctor? Can someone become an organ donor after voluntary assisted dying? How can I talk about voluntary assisted dying with my family? Is voluntary assisted dying the same as suicide? What does the Australian community think about voluntary assisted dying? How many people use voluntary assisted dying laws in Australia?

Can I talk about voluntary assisted dying with my doctor?

Answer

You should discuss your end-of-life options with your doctor. However, some health professionals do not agree with voluntary assisted dying and the law grants them the right to conscientiously object. This means they can decide not to help you with your application for VAD. In this case, they should let you know so you can find another doctor willing to provide you with information.

Best practice in Australian health care is that you (the patient) are central to all decisions about your care and treatment. This is often called ‘person-centred care’. This means if your doctor will not discuss voluntary assisted dying with you, you’re entitled to look for another who will.