The Voluntary Assisted Dying Act 2021 was passed on 16 September 2021 and allows for voluntary assisted dying to be available on 1 January 2023, providing dignity, choice and compassion for those at the end of their life.
HCQ made a number of submissions on the Bill and gave evidence at the public hearing in July following consultation with consumers and carers across the State to ensure a diverse range of views was captured and heard.
Our CEO, Melissa Fox has now been appointed to the Voluntary Assisted Dying Implementation Taskforce which will be supported by subcommittees responsible for the delivery of the extensive program of work to put in place the complex clinical and administrative arrangements. Melissa will lead the sub-committee focused on consumer/community engagement and continue to amplify the voices of consumers during the implementation phase. Two consumer and carer representatives are also being appointed to join each subcommittee.
In July 2021, the Department of State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning (DSDILG) engaged Health Consumers Queensland to undertake a short-term research and consumer testing project in relation to current Queensland Health website information for consumers and community to inform communications action planning and support planning to build a new website as part of the implementation of Voluntary Assisted Dying. Ten consumers participated in the review and consumer research with a report provided back to the Department at the end of July.