Hon Nick Goiran questions the Health Minister regarding the higher-than-forecast number of voluntary assisted dying (VAD) deaths in the first reporting period, seeking explanation for the increase. The Minister attributes the number to the scheme's accessibility.

AnsweredQoN 1151Legislative Council
Asked
1 December 2022
Portfolio
Health

QuestionView source ↗

I refer to page 5 of the Voluntary Assisted Dying Board Western Australia Annual Report 2021-22 that states 190 voluntary assisted dying deaths were
recorded in the reporting period, which accounts for 1.1% of total deaths in
Western Australia in 2021-22, and I ask: (a) how does this figure compare with the annual estimate forecast by the Health Minister during Parliamentary debate on the Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill 2019 ; and (b) if there is an increase in voluntary assisted dying deaths recorded in the first reporting period in 2021-22 compared to the annual estimate forecast at the time of passing the legislation, to what does the Minister attribute this increase?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered
14 February 2023
Responded by
Leader of the House representing the Minister for Health
Response time
1 days
(a) The figure of 190 deaths is greater than forecast in 2019.
(b) The overall number is reflective of a scheme that is genuinely accessible to those who seek voluntary assisted dying as their end-of-life choice.

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