Voluntary Euthanasia, where are we at?

As we approach Christmas and the end of another year, a mixed bag of feelings always arrives in Santas’s sack.
Especially since death, dying and sadness do not miraculously disappear just because its supposed to be a Merry Christmas now.

This year we have seen the prospect of Voluntary Euthanasia re-presented to Australian Parliament again. This follows serious campaigning by affected individuals and groups across society to allow loved ones or themselves to die with peace and dignity.

Why Andrew Denton has taken on the argument for Voluntary Euthanasia.

Andrew Denton has taken up the gauntlet following the trauma of his own father’s passing and after speaking to numerous cancer sufferers and health professionals. He says: ‘I feel like I’m carrying a trust. A trust from those people I’ve met who are seeking or who sought help and didn’t get it.’
To assist in the progress of educating the Australian public and government, he has been instrumental in forming ‘Go Gentle Australia’ and also released earlier this year a Podcast which he purposefully called ‘Better off Dead’.

Depsite the legislation failing by one vote, the campaign continues, as it has done following multiple previous applications across the whole country. The hurdle is a lack of knowledge about what it entails, and fear. Understandable fear, because no-one wants a situation where potential grey areas put vulnerable individuals at risk.

Isn’t Palliative Care enough?

Many think that Palliative Care provides everything people need to cope with end of life pain and suffering. It does provide services and comfort-based care to those who are going through end-stage illness. It has come a long way in Australia, impacting positively and compassionately on thousands of families since it was first introduced. However, it has limitations on how much pain can be relieved.

The goal of those who support and campaign for the ‘Death and Dignity Bill’, are those who have witnessed and understand that despite all the best efforts being given during Palliative care, it unfortunately does not prevent the disease process and suffering continuing at unbearable levels in some individuals, until they feel desperate enough to end their own life.

How do nurses feel about it?

As ANMF Federal Secretary Lee Thomas says:
‘Nurses and midwives see people who are in intractable pain for which little or nothing is helpful to them.’
Seeing this first hand as a relative or a health professional is the worst kind of helplessness. If there were in place a solid, protective legislation I think there would be a collective sigh of relief. There would be no ambiguity, no room for stretching the boundaries and no Doctor quietly giving a bit more Morphine and then a bit more until the agony is over.

Christmas carols and joy to the world.

As we enter the season of merry-making and giving, spare a thought and a prayer for those who suffer amongst us, whether that is as a patient or a carer.
Take comfort knowing there are strong, focussed individuals working with passion and committment to relieve the pain and suffering of others.

Eventually legislation will be passed because of their efforts. It will be safe, transparent, patient-centred and it will be the patient’s choice. These will be the lawful parameters. Just as it is in countries like Switzerland, Belgium and The Netherlands.

If your Christmas is being shared with a sad and difficult experience, know that you are not alone. The true spirit of Christmas is loving and caring. This is the core message behind every good wish, every card and gift. So open your heart, receive the love and caring, even as you toil and struggle with other things.

Our heartfelt good wishes go to all of you who are associated with Yellow Door Care, as we continue to do our best to give loving care and compassion to all who need us.