West Australian doctors have voiced their support for the suspension of euthanasia advocate Dr Philip Nitschke over his links to the suicide of a young and healthy WA man.
WA branch vice-president of the AMA Dr Andrew Miller said appropriate action was taken against Dr Nitschke whose involvement in the lead up to the suicide of 45-year-old Perth man Nigel Brayley caused “considerable concern and anguish among” WA doctors.
“The board has found that Nitschke presents a serious risk to public health and safety, and we believe that the decision to suspend him is an appropriate one,” Dr Miller said.
“The actions of Nitschke have caused considerable concern and anguish amongst WA medical practitioners, who believe that Nitschke should have used his position as a medical professional to provide Mr Brayley with the necessary support.
“Nitschke has failed in his duty as doctor. Mr Brayley should have been referred for mental health assessment and support as soon as Nitschke was in contact with him.
Dr Miller said a doctor providing anyone, in particular a young and apparently healthy person, with advice on how to take their life while they seemed to suffer from depression or anxiety was “despicable”.
“Our profession is relieved to be rid of him and wish to assure the community that we will always help those with treatable illnesses to recover and live." Dr Miller said.
Dr Nitschke was informed overnight on Thursday that his registration had been suspended for what appeared to be his involvement in the lead up to the death of Mr Brayley who took the illegal drug Nembutal.
Dr Nitschke marked the suspension at midnight Thursday on social media, declaring the end of 25 years as a doctor.
A drink at midnight to mark the end of 25 years a doctor. Now to appeal this politically motivated de-registration
pic.twitter.com/KNwcJiMbwq — Philip Nitschke (@philipnitschke)
July 23, 2014
Mr Brayley came to public attention when his wife Lina was found dead at the Statham’s Quarry, Gooseberry Hill, in February 2011.
The body of Ms Brayley, an amateur photographer, was found at the base of the quarry with her camera equipment nearby and initially ruled an accident.
Two years later, WA Police believed her death was a homicide and launched a public appeal for information.
Beyondblue chairman Jeff Kennett said Dr Nitschke had “overstepped the mark when he assisted an able-bodied 45-year-old West Australian man to end his life earlier this year”.
Mr Kennett said Dr Nitschke breached his Hippocratic Oath as a doctor by not directing the man to appropriate medical assistance before he took his own life.
He congratulated the AMA on acting quickly in response to many complaints that were lodged with it by organisations, including beyondblue.
“I can only hope this suspension will stand for a considerable time," he said.
“While I support euthanasia for the terminally ill under strict conditions, the public recognises the importance of the gift of life.
“It is the most important gift we have and it is completely unacceptable for the medical profession to assist in early deaths.
“If Nitschke continues to advocate for the right of able-bodied people to take their lives, many in a moment of fragility might be tempted to do so.
“If Philip Nitschke continues such advocacy, I hope his suspension from medical practice is for life.”
Controversial doctor responds
But Dr Nitschke said he had very little to do with Mr Brayley.
"To suggest that my passing acquaintance with Brayley implies a doctor-patient relationship, and an implied duty of care, makes a mockery of good medical practice," he told reporters on Thursday.
Dr Nitschke said the medical board told him his view that people have a right to choose to take their own life was incompatible with his responsibility as a doctor.
He said he did not need a medical certificate to continue his work with Exit International, but would fight the suspension so others could not use it to discredit him and his message.
"I will continue to provide end-of-life choices workshops to the growing number of elderly Australians who want this information," he said.
Dr Nitschke said Mr Brayley was a lucid adult of sound mind, but was not his patient.
"Nigel had sought to acquire his drugs before I even met him," he said.
"There was nothing that I could or did say to Nigel that would have made him change his mind."
The medical board had conducted a trial by media, which went against the rule of law and Australian democracy, he argued, and sought to "carry out a dirty little assassination aimed at silencing me and stifling discussion on this important social topic".
"It beggars belief that a government board can act purely because it does not agree with the beliefs of its citizens," he said.
