News

Dying With Dignity was one of the main groups lobbying for the implementation of voluntary assisted dying (VAD). Now that every state in Australia has passed these laws they have shifted their focus to ensuring the VAD laws operate as intended and are accessible to those who need them, regardless of where they live.

In NSW, the VAD application process requires a written declaration to be witnessed by two eligible people. For some, especially the elderly, the isolated, and those in rural and regional areas, finding two eligible witness can be a struggle. The witnesses cannot:

• be a child (17 years and under)
• be a family member (this includes extended family such as step family)
• know or believe that they are a beneficiary in your will
• know or believe that they may benefit financially or in any other material way from your death
• be your coordinating practitioner or consulting practitioner
• be a family member or employee of your coordinating practitioner or consulting practitioner

To help combat this problem of accessibility, Dying With Dignity NSW (DWDNSW) have implemented a Volunteer Witness Program. So far they have trained at least 100 volunteers and witnessed over 80 written declarations. Working with staff from 15 Local Health Districts to determine need, they are now looking to expand the program.

If you, or someone you know, live in any of the following areas and might be interested in the witnessing program please complete an Expression of Interest. As part of the program, volunteer witnesses will be provided with training and support and are required to adhere to DWDNSW’s Witnessing Code of Conduct.

• Taree – Forster
• Tamworth – Armidale
• Central Coast
• Southern Highlands
• Western Sydney

Please click here to complete an Expression of Interest in volunteering with Dying With Dignity NSW.

For any other inquiries please contact the Witness Program Co-ordinator, Ruth Bearpark, via email.