A Workshop on the subjects of Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD) and Dementia

Advanced Care Planning and Voluntary Assisted Dying – A Dilemma for the Dementia Tsunami

We invite GPs to an educational workshop exploring the intersection of Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD) and dementia, hosted by Baringa Private Hospital and Pacific Bay Resort, with support from Go Gentle Australia and Linked to Life.

This workshop will address common questions that GPs and health professionals face in practice including:

• Can patients with dementia access VAD?

• What happens when capacity is lost during a VAD pathway?

• What is currently happening in clinical settings ?

• How should these conversations be approached with patients and families?

The event features brief presentations from three experienced speakers, and an hour long discussion:

• Dr Charles Douglas -  General Surgeon (Surgical Oncology) Ethicist and Law graduate, University of Newcasle

• Dr Linda Swan - Former GP and current CEO of Go Gentle Australia 

• Dr John Ward -  Geriatrician and NSW Senior of the Year 2024, Vice-President Hunter Ageing Alliance

Topics include:

• Australian and International Experience of VAD and Loss of Capacity
• Role of the geriatrician
• Optimal ageing
• Diagnosis of loss of capacity and management in the context of end-stage dementia
• Ethical and practical difficulties in changing the law