Friday 6 June 2008 

Catholic service providers in the aged care sector in Victoria have written to Victorian parliamentarians appealing to them to reject the Bill to provide for ‘physician assisted dying’ that is currently before the State Parliament.

Upper House Greens MP Colleen Hartland introduced the Bill on 28 May. The Bill would permit a doctor, at the request of a patient, to prescribe a drug to intentionally end the life of a patient, rather than caring for them or treating the illness. The Bill directly affects not only those who are dying, but also those who have an incurable illness which is causing intolerable suffering.

Denis Fitzgerald, Director of Catholic Social Services Victoria said today that Catholic aged care providers reject the proposition that it be legal for a doctor to intentionally end the life of a patient.

"Assisted dying is contrary to the principles of care and respect that we, as Catholic aged care providers, provide to ageing members of our community – members from diverse cultures, nationalities, faiths and walks of life. The hallmark of our acceptance of the humanity and intrinsic dignity of each individual is the steadfast commitment to caring for all, including the weakest and most vulnerable, especially in their final stages of life."

Mr Fitzgerald said the agencies are also deeply concerned by the wide range of conditions under which it would be legal for a doctor to administer a lethal drug.

"The Bill defines ‘intolerable suffering’ as a ‘profound suffering and/or distress, whether physical, psychological or existential'. Such a definition is wide-ranging and subjective," Mr Fitzgerald said.

"Pain and suffering of an ‘existential nature’ arises usually from loneliness and the lack of a sense of self worth. These conditions can and very often are addressed by proper care and loving support.

"When such broad definitions of suffering are combined with the fact that many chronic illnesses can be defined as ‘incurable’, the range of conditions that this legislation will encompass is very large indeed.

"Rather than benefiting Victorians who suffer from chronic illnesses, the Bill would make protection of their lives dependant on the strength of their will to continue."

If assisted dying were an option, there would be pressure for all seriously ill people to consider assisted suicide even if they would not otherwise have entertained such an idea.

"Patients might feel obliged to choose to die so that they are not a burden to others or because of the financial implications of chronic or terminal illness," Mr Fitzgerald said.

In the letter, the Catholic Aged Care providers told parliamentarians, “We are most concerned how this legislation may jeopardise the fate of vulnerable individuals, generate considerable anxiety for elderly, disabled or very ill patients and cause detrimental effects on societal attitudes towards the sick and the dying.”

Signatories to the letter were: Dr Doug Kent, CEO, St Vincent de Paul Aged and Community Services; Sr Ana Robertson, Sister Superior and Pastoral Care Coordinator, Nazareth House; Joan Donoghue, CEO, Catholic Homes for the Elderly; Patricia Adam, CEO, Good Shepherd Aged Care Services; Jan Horsnell, CEO, Southern Cross Care; Patrick Gallagher, Community Director, Corpus Christi Community; Roger Greenman, CEO, Cabrini Health; Sr Cecilia Mackay, Sister Superior, Little Sisters of the Poor–St Joseph’s Aged Care; John Ballard, CEO, Mercy Health Care; Martin Laverty, CEO, Catholic Health Australia; and Denis Fitzgerald, Executive Director, Catholic Social Services Victoria.

"Serious illness and dying are times when a person needs the support of others. This Bill puts this support at risk, undermines a patient’s ability to trust their carers and the health care systems responsible for their care," Mr Fitzgerald said.

"We urge all Members of Parliament to reject this Bill."

Read the 5 June letter