Jim's Quality of Life OnLine

The Dying with Dignity legislation, at present before the Victorian parliament, provides vital safeguards over the present "catch-as-catch-can" situation.

Before a suffering patient can be helped to die peacefully, the Bill rules there must be two doctors who agree this is necessary, plus (where appropriate) a psychiatrist, plus the fact that the death and all the circumstances must be reported to the Coroner. At present none of this protection is available and the compassionate doctor who decides to shorten the distress of a terminally ill patient does so at his own risk. Sometimes a suffering patient does it on his own - with hanging or other violence, and sometimes with bungled medicine. A number of compassionate doctors already do what is necessary - but without any rules which protect them and the patient.

Under the legislation, the patient must himself administer any medicine which is designed to shorten his life and his suffering.

The opponents of the Bill seem to be pointing to dangers, but it seems to me that the new legislation will bring much needed protection to all parties.

with good wishes,


Jim Vickers-Willis

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