The Australian College of Nursing has asked the Prime Minister to amend the Commonwealth Criminal Code so health practitioners can provide lawful voluntary assisted dying care by telehealth.
Sections 474.29A and 474.29B of the Criminal Code Act 1995 were enacted in 2005 to target online promotion of suicide, before any state had VAD laws. The College says a 2023 Federal Court decision brought VAD care within them, exposing practitioners to fines above $360,000.
It says rural and remote patients are hit hardest and that existing safeguards would stay. The College takes no position on VAD itself.
The letter, signed by CEO Dr Kathryn Zeitz, was copied to the Attorney-General and the Health Minister. No government response has been reported as yet.
https://theaimn.net/acn-urges-prime-minister-to-end-telehealth-ban-on-voluntary-assisted-dying/