Eastern Health in Victoria comprises of ten campuses, and services a very large population of patients in the eastern metropolitan region of Melbourne, Victoria. It is a diverse, multicultural population which includes a large oncology service.
Since the introduction of Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD) in Victoria in 2019, Eastern Health has established a stand-alone VAD unit, comprising of a VAD coordinator and a recently appointed clinical director. The clinical director of VAD leads VAD services at Eastern Health together with the VAD coordinator with a focus on ensuring excellence in clinical care, teaching and research as well as ongoing strategic development of VAD service. The service has expanded over time to encompass all campuses, including an inpatient palliative care unit. Eastern Health has eighteen VAD accredited doctors with a variety of specialities including oncology. The service has focused on patient centred, compassionate care for patients, and education and support for staff. In 2024 we supported 100 people who have requested access to VAD, providing holistic support including assessments in hospital, residential aged care facilities and at home and admissions for VAD administration. The VAD team has developed and implemented a volunteer witness program for final VAD declaration.
There have been a number of challenges throughout the 5 year history of our Unit, including individual and institutional conscientious objection, geographic barriers and a culturally and linguistically diverse population. These have required consultation and collaboration at a local, Executive and Board level to facilitate access and equity to VAD for patients at every Eastern Health site. These experiences and learnings may provide useful information for those undertaking similar projects, and aid in overcoming patient access barriers.