From July 1, voluntary assisted dying became an end-of-life option for adults suffering from severe disease or illness.
The state government has appointed the initial five-member Voluntary Assisted Dying Board, which will be chaired by palliative and aged care specialist and former Australian Medical Association WA president Scott Blackwell. The board will have a mostly advisory and monitoring roll. Dr Blackwell also chaired the implementation leadership team on voluntary assisted dying.
Health Minister Roger Cook praised the work of the team, whose members range across disciplines and backgrounds including medical, nursing, primary health, Aboriginal health and consumer experience. He said it was an emotional day when the bill passed through parliament on December 10, 2019.
"Since then, the Department of Health has led the work to turn the bill into reality," he said. "The 18-month implementation period has been highly productive. The Voluntary Assisted Dying Board will play a crucial role in overseeing its introduction and implementation."
Other board members are deputy chair Colin Holt, who recently retired as MLC for the South West region; Dr Robert Edis, consultant neurologist and vice-president of the Motor Neurone Disease Association of WA; Maria Osman, senior consultant and advisor specialising in human rights, diversity and gender matters; and Linda Savage, a former director of the Social Security Appeals Tribunal and a legal member of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.
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