Voluntary Assisted Dying Clinical Guideline for Health Practitioners

Version 2.1 approved 29 November 2023

The Voluntary Assisted Dying Clinical Guideline for Health Practitioners (PDF 1265KB) supports all health professionals to understand voluntary assisted dying in South Australia and their obligations under the Voluntary Assisted Dying Act 2021 (SA) when providing care and support to people accessing voluntary assisted dying.

This guideline sets out:

  • roles and responsibilities in voluntary assisted dying
  • the role of voluntary assisted dying as an end-of-life care option
  • how to request voluntary assisted dying
  • who is eligible to access voluntary assisted dying and how eligibility is assessed
  • how voluntary assisted dying medication is prescribed, supplied, and administered.

This guideline is not intended to be exhaustive. Health professionals participating in voluntary assisted dying should:

  • familiarise themselves with the Act
  • familiarise themselves with any local policies and procedures at facilities where they may deliver or engage with voluntary assisted dying services
  • complete the relevant voluntary assisted dying training
  • utilise any related supporting documents
  • draw on their existing clinical knowledge and expertise.

A list of related supporting documents is available at the end of this guideline.