Inquiry calls for regional end-of-life funding boost

An inquiry probing end-of-life choices in Western Australia has urged the State Government to boost funding for regional palliative care service providers, amidst calls to introduce voluntary euthanasia laws.

The report was tabled in State Parliament last Thursday, carrying with it recommendations to boost funding for regional services and creation of a taskforce to help draft legislation.

Report chair Amber-Jade Sanderson said the committee had found too many people were experiencing profound suffering as they died.

“This is in part due to inequitable access to palliative care,” she said.

“However, it is clear from the evidence that even with access to the best quality palliative care, not all suffering can be alleviated.

“The current lawful options available to people experiencing grievous and irremediable suffering at the end of life are inadequate and can be exceptionally difficult for the dying person and their family and friends.”

In a submission to the inquiry, WA Country Health Services revealed significant shortcomings in regional palliative care services.

Those included limited support from specialists, no medical oversight, coordination or governance of medical palliative care services

“Policy is also somewhat lacking and developing strong policy approaches is a pre-requisite for improving and maintaining standards,” WACHS said.

Greens Member for Mining and Pastoral Robin Chapple said there was a window of opportunity to pass legislation in the current parliament, if the State Government chose to do so.

“I have to say I am very gratified by the level of input we have had from a variety of political parties,” he said.

“Having look at Victorian legislation, I would think ours will have more checks and balances but greater freedom for those people who find themselves in a terminal state but not having capacity at that time to make an informed decision.”

Mr Chapple said the recommendations respected religious and moral positions on euthanasia.

South West MLC Colin Holt said the committee had found a strong will to live among West Australians, but a message of choice for those suffering was clear.

“People will go to extraordinary lengths to extend life by any means possible to squeeze out that last drop,” he said.

“People now survive a lot longer than they did in the past, sometimes with debilitating symptoms, and there was also a clear message to the committee that in the final stages of life, when living becomes unbearable, there is a desire by many to have a quick, peaceful and painless end surrounded by loved ones.”

Cabinet ministers are now considering the report recommendations.