Dying with Dignity ACT has for some time been pressing the Health Minister about the guidelines for VAD practitioners, in the hope that there would be flexibility to allow options for people with dementia who still have mental capacity.
The Minister has responded that “I appreciate your view that the changes you propose to allow access to VAD for people with early stage dementia do not require legislative change and could instead be enacted through clinical guidelines. However, this would represent a major change to the policy underpinning the ACT’s VAD framework that could have ramifications far beyond early access for neurodegenerative conditions, including dementia.
As you are aware, the ACT Government has committed to undertaking further work, in the first instance, to address the situation of a person who has already been approved for VAD and loses decision-making capacity after final approval but before the VAD medication is administered. This work will commence in 2026. The broader issue of access for people with dementia will be considered through the legislated review after the scheme has been in operation for three years.”