Those navigating voluntary assisted dying end-of-life choice better informed in Australian-first podcast

South Metropolitan Health Service (SMHS) is proud to announce the launch of ‘This is my stop’ – a new podcast focused on informing and empowering people and those who support them as they explore or are navigating voluntary assisted dying (VAD) as an end-of-life choice.

As the first of its kind in Australia, This is my stop enables the sharing of stories to support understanding for individuals, families and healthcare professionals in response to the new choices available for people at the end of their lives following introduction of VAD in Western Australia.

Hosted by SMHS-based WA Voluntary Assisted Dying Statewide Care Navigator Service Clinical Nurse Consultant Alice Morison, each podcast episode consists of an interview with a person who has navigated the process of a loved one choosing VAD or an interview with a healthcare worker who has a role in the VAD journey.

“With the legislation for VAD only coming to effect recently in 2021, it is still a very new and sometimes polarising end-of-life choice, without many people in our community having shared this experience” Alice explained.

“As a result, it can be quite challenging for patients and families exploring and navigating VAD to learn about the process from the perspective of loved ones or connect with others who have had similar experiences across WA.

“This can be isolating and make the experience more challenging than it already is, particularly when supporting a loved one.

“We are incredibly proud to launch This is my stop to help empower the community with an understanding of this end-of-life choice and hear about what the journey may be like from someone who has already walked this path.

“The first podcast intended solely to share stories and experiences of this kind in Australia, we hope This is my stop will help people both within and outside of WA to feel more connected and less alone on their individual journeys.”

The first two episodes of This is my stop are available for listening on Spotify (external site) and the SMHS website: South Metropolitan Health Service - Navigating and understanding the voluntary assisted dying experience. It is coming soon to Apple Podcasts.

A new episode will be released every two months.

Note: These stories reflect the perceptions and experiences of those involved. They were created to support Western Australians in their conversations and open discussion with their health practitioners, family, carers and community about treatment options and care preferences, and do not replace specialised advice from trained VAD healthcare professionals.

Further information on VAD is available on the Department of Health website Voluntary Assisted Dying (health.wa.gov.au) or by contacting the WA VAD Statewide Care Navigator Service during standard business hours Monday to Friday on (08) 9431 2755 or via email VADcarenavigator@health.wa.gov.au