On Monday, May 31, the McGowan government announced the inaugural membership of the Voluntary Assisted Dying Board.
WA Health Minister Roger Cook said the implementation of the board was not only a longtime coming but a significant step forward in introducing voluntary assisted dying in WA.
"It was an extremely emotional day when the Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill passed through Parliament on December 10, 2019," he said.
"Since then the Department of Health has led the work to turn the Bill into reality."
The board will have a mostly advisory and monitoring function in relation to voluntary assisted dying, which will become an end-of-life option for eligible Western Australians from July 1.
The board's chair, Dr Scott Blackwell, has worked extensively in palliative and aged care, as well as chairing Implementation Leadership Team on voluntary assisted dying.
The rest of the five-member-board, initially been signed on for three years, is made up of a diverse and experienced team of professionals, including:
- Colin Holt (deputy chairperson) who recently retired as member of the legislative council for the south west region. He was also deputy chairpeson of the joint select committee on end of life choices.
- Dr Robert Edis who is a consultant neurologist with a particular interest in motor neurone disease. Dr Edis is also the vice president of the Motor Neurone Disease Association of WA.
- Maria Osman, a senior consultant and advisor specialising in human rights, diversity and gender matters and is a former executive director of the WA offices of Multicultural Interests and Women's Policy. Ms Osman was a member of the Ministerial Expert Panel on voluntary assisted dying.
- Linda Savage, a former director of the Social Security Appeals Tribunal and a legal member of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal. Ms Savage was also a Member of the Legislative Council.
It was an extremely emotional day when the Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill passed through Parliament.
- Health Minister Roger Cook
The board will ensure adherence to legislation and report to the state government as necessary on both quality and safety improvements in relation to voluntary assisted dying.
"We are pleased to have members with such diverse experience and expertise as well as compassion and commitment to providing an additional choice to eligible Western Australians at the end of life," Mr Cook said.
"It has been a thorough process which is now on the cusp of introduction on July 1.
"The Voluntary Assisted Dying Board will play a crucial role in overseeing its introduction and implementation."
Further reading:
Lifeline 13 11 14
Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636
