Hospital takeovers must not restrict VAD access
Go Gentle Australia has joined with 11 other organisations in writing to the NSW Health Minister to raise concerns about Calvary Health Care's proposed acquisition of six NSW private hospitals.
Calvary has confirmed that hospitals under its ownership will operate according to Catholic Health Australia's Code of Ethical Standards, which prohibits voluntary assisted dying (VAD).
The Hunter region is particularly affected, with Calvary confirming that VAD will no longer be provided at Newcastle Private Hospital and Hunter Valley Private Hospital if the takeover proceeds. Go Gentle understands that Newcastle Private Hospital currently receives one or two VAD requests each week and is involved in up to five assisted deaths each month.
Calvary has suggested that patients seeking VAD could be transferred elsewhere. However, for people at the end of life, a transfer is not a simple solution, said Go Gentle CEO Dr Linda Swan. .
"Relocating seriously unwell patients is not a simple administrative process. Many are in no condition to be moved and can experience considerable distress as a result," Dr Swan said. "At the same time, the public hospital system is facing ongoing bed shortages. Redirecting more patients into that environment will inevitably increase those pressures."
The consultation process surrounding the license transfers has been seriously inadequate, and difficult for the public to access. Calvary did not publicise the consultation process at its Town Hall meetings and the consultation documents referred to the company by its legal name rather than the publicly recognised Calvary brand. Furthermore, submissions were limited to just 200 words, and the consultation period was only two weeks. For a decision that could affect access to lawful healthcare for thousands of people, that is simply not good enough.
Go Gentle is calling on the NSW Government to delay license approval and undertake a more comprehensive consultation process. We have also urged the government to require Calvary to maintain access to lawful healthcare currently available in these facilities, including compliance with obligations relating to VAD information and access to external VAD providers.
The letter states: “We are deeply concerned that Calvary’s acquisition will reduce choice for dying people. What’s more, this will limit available hospital beds within an already overstretched system and increase the pressure on other hospital facilities that do offer access to VAD information and services in the locality.”
The threat to VAD access extends beyond NSW. Calvary is seeking regulatory approval to acquire a total of 16 former Healthscope hospitals across Australia following the company's collapse earlier this year. The acquisition would more than double Calvary's hospital portfolio.
The fundamental question is whether access to lawful healthcare should depend on who owns the hospital where a person happens to be receiving treatment.
VAD is a legal end-of-life choice. Patients who meet the eligibility criteria should be able to access that choice without unnecessary barriers, delays or transfers. Healthcare decisions should be centred on patients' needs, not institutional beliefs.