Assisted Dying Service - July 2023 Update

In this edition:

• Quarterly report

• Registrar (Assisted Dying) Annual Report

• Function transfer update

• Voluntary Assisted Dying Conference 2023.

Quarterly report

Between 1 January 2023 and 31 March 2023, the service received 211 applications for assisted dying. Among these 211 applicants, 2.4% were Māori, and 0.9% were Pacifica.

Attending medical practitioners (AMPs) completed 204 assessments, independent medical practitioners (IMPs) completed 155 assessments, and 142 applications were confirmed as eligible. 

Medical practitioners facilitated 78 assisted deaths during this quarter.

You can read the report here.

Registrar (Assisted Dying) Annual Report

The End of Life Choice Act (2019) requires the Registrar (assisted dying) to report to the Minister of Health about the operation of the service each year by the 30 June. This is the first annual report from the service and covers the period from 7 November to 31 March 2022. It reports data required by the Act as well as a description of the implementation process used to prepare the service for its start on the 7 November 2021.

The report can be found here.

Function transfer update

Aotearoa New Zealand’s health and disability system is being transformed to create a more equitable system and achieve better health and wellbeing outcomes for all New Zealanders.

As part of these reforms some functions have been transferred from Manatū Hauora (Ministry of Health) to Te Whatu Ora – Health New Zealand, particularly those with an operational focus. 

Some clinical advisory functions and operational functions from of the Assisted Dying team transferred to Te Whatu Ora on 6 March. This transfer has not impacted service delivery.

Over the coming months websites will start to look a little different. You may be redirected to a new look website managed by Te Whatu Ora instead of the Manatū Hauora website.

Voluntary Assisted Dying Conference 2023

Go Gentle Australia and VADANZ are hosting the Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD) Conference 2023, in Sydney, Australia. It is on the 27 & 28 September 2023 at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS).

The first day is for health professionals only. The second day brings together all professionals involved in VAD; policymakers, peak bodies and health organisations. Everyone is welcome at all networking events. Tickets can be bought here.

If you have any questions, they have FAQs here.