November 2024

A recommendation from the Ministry of Health’s latest review of the End of Life Choice Act is calling for the gag clause, i.e. the protective measure that restricts doctors from raising assisted dying with patients to be changed. This is one of 23 recommendations made by MOH to strengthen the current law. The ministry recommended that the law be amended so health practitioners could raise assisted dying — but only as part of discussions about a person’s treatment and end-of-life care options. Euthanasia advocates in favour of this law change argue that doctors managing a patient’s palliative care should be able to discuss assisted dying with patients as it aligns with giving patients information and is different to a doctor making recommendations. International evidence would say otherwise regarding coercion and decision at such a vulnerable time in a patient’s life.

On the contrary, groups and individuals such as the Disability Rights Commissioner and the Australia and NZ Society of Palliative Medicine want this law to remain unchanged as it addresses the power imbalance between a doctor and patient and reduces any perception of coercion.

The ministry’s statutory review, presented to Parliament last week, made 23 recommendations, citing the law was generally working well and that there had been no wrongful deaths among the 978 people who had gone ahead with the procedure. Ironically, the Herald reported last month that two former members of the committee felt the oversight process was so inadequate they would not have known if someone had died wrongly.

The MOH report also recommended more powers for the End of Life Review Committee, which is tasked with ensuring each assisted death complied with the law. It said the committee should be able to access a broader range of information and be able to raise any concerning cases with relevant authorities.

Act MP Todd Stephenson has drafted a member’s bill which focuses on one aspect of the law — a requirement that a patient have six months to live to get access to assisted dying. Stephenson said he would consider re-drafting his bill to include some of the ministry’s recommendations, including the removal of the “gag clause” – i.e. a protective measure that safeguards both doctors and patients.

Original article

New research highlights significant gaps in paediatric palliative care services in New Zealand, with children facing inequitable and inadequate support. Currently, Starship Children’s Hospital in Auckland is the only provider of a publicly funded specialist paediatric palliative care service, and the service is small and vulnerable due to workforce pressures and a lack of additional funding.

Each year, about 350 children (aged 19 and under) die of serious illness in New Zealand, and a much larger group could benefit from specialist palliative care. International research suggests that with advanced medical technology, the number of children living with life-limiting conditions is expected to triple in the next decade. However, the workforce of trained paediatric palliative care professionals is insufficient to meet the growing need. As a result, many children and families are missing out on essential care, which has serious consequences for their well-being.

A report commissioned by the Ministry of Health in 2012 recommended the establishment of a nationwide service supported by Starship, with funded clinicans in each district. A group in Wellington has started a donation-funded paediatric palliative care service, but the researchers emphasize that a nationwide, publicly funded service is needed to ensure all children, including Māori, receive quality, compassionate care. They call for more investment in training and resources to build a workforce capable of meeting the demand.

Full story found here https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/533164/poor-care-for-dying-children-in-most-regions-report-shows