ASSISTED DYING IN NEW ZEALAND
HOW WE WILL PROVIDE OUR SERVICES ALONGSIDE THE END OF LIFE CHOICE ACT
9 November 2021
Life is a journey. And from first to last, all decisions along that journey are an individual’s to make. For Hospice Wairarapa patients, this includes the choice to live as fully and comfortably as possible with our support, or to bring life to a close alongside an approved assisted dying service provider.
New Zealand gives you that choice
The End of Life Choice Act became legislation on 7 November 2021, meaning people diagnosed with a terminal illness can ask for approved medical assistance to end their lives. We realise this raises questions as to how Hospice Wairarapa will work alongside the act.
Fundamentally, Hospice Wairarapa exists to help patients live the remainder of their lives to the best of their ability. “Helping Make Every Day Count” is our life-affirming purpose, with the Hospice Philosophy of “neither postpone nor hasten death” as our cornerstone.
With that in mind, here’s how we will support a patient if they decide to look into or request assisted dying. The most important thing to clarify is that our service delivery will not change. We will continue to provide the best possible care for our patients and their families and whānau, irrespective of the patient’s decision regarding assisted dying.
Approved providers only
Assisted dying intervention in New Zealand can only be carried out by providers approved by the New Zealand Ministry of Health. Hospice Wairarapa has chosen not to become an approved provider as we believe assisted dying lies outside the purposes of palliative care.
Hospice Wairarapa staff cannot administer, participate nor be present in assisted dying intervention.
We’re here to connect
Hospice Wairarapa can connect patients with a provider to have an informed conversation. Patients can then get the information they need to fully understand the service and decide if it’s right for them. The provider can also assess for eligibility.
Hospice Wairarapa care throughout
Those who choose to discuss assisted dying with an approved provider, or those who choose the intervention, will remain a hospice patient. This gives them the freedom to change their minds up until the last moment.
In the event that a change does occur, Hospice Wairarapa will be there to continue delivering support and care.
We will help move patients
Should a patient choose assisted dying, Hospice Wairarapa can help arrange for the patient to move safely and in comfort to their chosen assisted dying location, and they remain a Hospice Wairarapa patient throughout the transition. Once the patient is settled, our team members will leave the premises, and the approved assisted dying service provider will take responsibility for patient care.
Support for family and whānau
At Hospice Wairarapa, part of our service to patients is bereavement support for their family and whānau. If a patient chooses assisted dying intervention, our support remains.
Whether a patient has included their family and whānau in the assisted dying decision or not, family members can continue accessing Hospice Wairarapa’s bereavement support.
The End of Life Services Act - the facts
Hospice Wairarapa cannot assess a patient’s eligibility to access assisted dying services. The legislation, however, does outline that individuals must:
• be 18 years or over
• be a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident
• have an illness that’s likely to end life within six months
• be in an advanced state of irreversible decline in physical health
• have unbearable suffering that can’t be relieved in a way the person finds tolerable
• be able to make an informed decision about assisted dying.
That means they understand information about assisted dying, can remember it, weigh it up, and communicate it. ‘
Additionally, the Act states that a person who chooses to receive assisted dying intervention does not have to discuss their decision with their friends and family.
To start a conversation
To start a conversation with a provider, phone the Support and Consultation for End of Life in New Zealand (SCENZ) service on 0800 223 852.
HOW WE WILL PROVIDE OUR SERVICES ALONGSIDE THE END OF LIFE CHOICE ACT
9 November 2021
Life is a journey. And from first to last, all decisions along that journey are an individual’s to make. For Hospice Wairarapa patients, this includes the choice to live as fully and comfortably as possible with our support, or to bring life to a close alongside an approved assisted dying service provider.
New Zealand gives you that choice
The End of Life Choice Act became legislation on 7 November 2021, meaning people diagnosed with a terminal illness can ask for approved medical assistance to end their lives. We realise this raises questions as to how Hospice Wairarapa will work alongside the act.
Fundamentally, Hospice Wairarapa exists to help patients live the remainder of their lives to the best of their ability. “Helping Make Every Day Count” is our life-affirming purpose, with the Hospice Philosophy of “neither postpone nor hasten death” as our cornerstone.
With that in mind, here’s how we will support a patient if they decide to look into or request assisted dying. The most important thing to clarify is that our service delivery will not change. We will continue to provide the best possible care for our patients and their families and whānau, irrespective of the patient’s decision regarding assisted dying.
Approved providers only
Assisted dying intervention in New Zealand can only be carried out by providers approved by the New Zealand Ministry of Health. Hospice Wairarapa has chosen not to become an approved provider as we believe assisted dying lies outside the purposes of palliative care.
Hospice Wairarapa staff cannot administer, participate nor be present in assisted dying intervention.
We’re here to connect
Hospice Wairarapa can connect patients with a provider to have an informed conversation. Patients can then get the information they need to fully understand the service and decide if it’s right for them. The provider can also assess for eligibility.
Hospice Wairarapa care throughout
Those who choose to discuss assisted dying with an approved provider, or those who choose the intervention, will remain a hospice patient. This gives them the freedom to change their minds up until the last moment.
In the event that a change does occur, Hospice Wairarapa will be there to continue delivering support and care.
We will help move patients
Should a patient choose assisted dying, Hospice Wairarapa can help arrange for the patient to move safely and in comfort to their chosen assisted dying location, and they remain a Hospice Wairarapa patient throughout the transition. Once the patient is settled, our team members will leave the premises, and the approved assisted dying service provider will take responsibility for patient care.
Support for family and whānau
At Hospice Wairarapa, part of our service to patients is bereavement support for their family and whānau. If a patient chooses assisted dying intervention, our support remains.
Whether a patient has included their family and whānau in the assisted dying decision or not, family members can continue accessing Hospice Wairarapa’s bereavement support.
The End of Life Services Act - the facts
Hospice Wairarapa cannot assess a patient’s eligibility to access assisted dying services. The legislation, however, does outline that individuals must:
• be 18 years or over
• be a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident
• have an illness that’s likely to end life within six months
• be in an advanced state of irreversible decline in physical health
• have unbearable suffering that can’t be relieved in a way the person finds tolerable
• be able to make an informed decision about assisted dying.
That means they understand information about assisted dying, can remember it, weigh it up, and communicate it. ‘
Additionally, the Act states that a person who chooses to receive assisted dying intervention does not have to discuss their decision with their friends and family.
To start a conversation
To start a conversation with a provider, phone the Support and Consultation for End of Life in New Zealand (SCENZ) service on 0800 223 852.