Voluntary assisted dying (VAD) commenced in NSW on 28 Nov 2023 and, by the time of this webinar, will have been in operation for nearly a year.
This webinar offers an update on the first-year experience in delivering VAD services to patient and families from those at the forefront of its design and delivery.
Speakers will discuss how VAD is being integrated into end-of-life planning, including with palliative care; how to refer patients; some of the emerging trends in patients’ choices such as location and type of administration, and highlight the role and challenges for GPs.
Speakers:
Dr Sara Townend (Clinical Director, Access Service – NSW VAD Support Service and Northern Sydney Local Health District (NSLHD) VAD Local Support Team (VAD-LST), General Practitioner)
Dr Sara Townend is the Clinical Director of the medical outreach team within the NSW VAD Support Service, responsible for providing VAD services to patients across NSW, particularly those within regional and rural areas. She is an experienced GP who has worked in adult and pediatric palliative care, in addition to leading the Medical Evacuation Response Group (MERG), a coalition of organizations tasked with evacuating refugees in need of care from Manus and Nauru.
Dr Wade Stedman (Statewide VAD Medical Lead, Intensivist)
Dr Wade Stedman is a Senior Staff Specialist in ICU at RNSH in Sydney. He has a particular interest in End-of-Life Care, Cardiovascular ICU, Trainee wellbeing and education. Over the past 18 months, he has been the Medical Lead for the Implementation of Voluntary Assisted Dying in NSW and is also a VAD Authorised Practitioner. In this role, he was the chair of the NSW VAD Clinical Advisory Group.
Associate Professor Fiona Robinson (Authorised practitioner, Access Service in statewide NSW VAD Support Service)
Associate Professor Fiona Robinson is Head of the General Practice Clinical School within the Faculty of Medicine and Health at the University of Sydney. She is the education lead for delivery of the GP curriculum in the Sydney Medial School. Her research interests include medication safety, transitions of care, patient education and end of life choices. Clinically she has worked in northern Sydney for many years as a GP and now as a VMO in the VAD statewide Access Service. She represents general practice on various committees, both at NSLHD and the SNPHN, including the clinical council and the education advisory group.
Hazel Blanco (Manager, NSLHD VAD-LST)
Hazel Blanco is Manager, NSLHD VAD-LST and was nursing co-lead for implementation of the VAD program in NSLHD. She has 13 years’ experience in the field of organ and tissue donation both in Australia and the UK in a variety of roles donor coordinator, education coordinator, A/Clinical Manager and A/Director of Nursing OTDS. Prior to this, she worked in ICU nursing in Australia and UK. She is passionate about end-of-life care and options available to patients.
For more information: Robi Robinson, Education Program Coordinator – 9432 8250 or rrobinson@snhn.org.au