Euthanasia in Australia - the Northern Territory Rights of the Terminally Ill Act

Article Abstract:

Australia's Northern Territory Rights of the Terminally Ill Act, passed in May 1995, legalized voluntary euthanasia, whereby terminally ill patients may formally request physicians to end their lives. The patients must be aged over 18 years and must be experiencing unacceptable suffering. Amid concerns that legalized euthanasia could become a convenient alternative to suicide, the act requires that palliative care for the patient be thoroughly evaluated to ensure that no treatment options exist that could ease the level of suffering. The act also requires the confirmation of a second doctor with psychiatric training, who must determine that the patient is not suffering from depression. The prediction of the time of death from the terminal illness is not considered in the act, leaving the physician to decide exactly which illnesses are terminal.

Laws, regulations and rules, Column

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Euthanasia - the need for procedural safeguards

Article Abstract:

Hospitals might consider appointing specialists among their medical staff who could administer euthanasia to patients with fatal diseases who are suffering excessively. Such a team could consist of the patient's physician, an anesthesiologist and a psychiatrist. The anesthesiologist specializes in pain management and the psychiatrist specializes in assessing mental health. These specialists could be certified, much as cardiologists and oncologists are. This safeguard may prevent euthanasia from being used inappropriately.

Standards

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Physician-assisted suicide and euthanasia in practice

Article Abstract:

It may be time to train doctors on the best ways to assist in a critically ill patient's suicide. According to a study in the Netherlands, in 21 out of 114 cases of physician-assisted suicide, the doctor who only intended to assist the patient ended up administering the drug. This occurred because the patient was unable to successfully commit suicide for some reason. This supports the recommendation of the Royal Dutch Medical Association that a doctor always be present when drugs are used to end a patient's life.

Editorial, Analysis, Assisted suicide

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