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Voluntary Assisted Dying Act 2024
155Requirements for health professionals when raising
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155 Requirements for health professionals when raising
voluntary assisted dying as an end of life choice
(1) A doctor or nurse practitioner with the necessary expertise may raise
voluntary assisted dying with an individual for the individual to
consider their end of life choices only if the doctor or nurse
practitioner—
(a) knows or believes on reasonable grounds that the individual has
been diagnosed with a condition or conditions mentioned in
section 11 (1) (b); and
(b) takes reasonable steps to ensure the individual knows of—
(i) the treatment options available for the condition or
conditions; and
(ii) the likely outcome of the treatment options; and
(iii) the palliative care options available to the individual; and
(iv) the likely outcome of the palliative care options.
(2) A relevant health professional may raise voluntary assisted dying
with an individual for the individual to consider their end of life
choices only if the relevant health professional—
(a) knows or believes on reasonable grounds that the individual has
been diagnosed with a condition or conditions mentioned in
section 11 (1) (b); and
(b) takes reasonable steps to ensure the individual knows that—
(i) treatment and palliative care options are available to the
(ii) the individual should discuss the options with their treating
doctor.
necessary expertise—a doctor or nurse practitioner has the necessary
expertise if they are satisfied that they have the expertise to
appropriately discuss treatment and palliative care options with an
relevant health professional means—
(a) a counsellor who meets the requirements prescribed by
regulation; or
(b) a health practitioner other than a doctor or nurse practitioner
with the necessary expertise; or
(c) a social worker who meets the requirements prescribed by
regulation; or
(d) any other health professional prescribed by regulation.