From 1 January 2023, Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD) became available to all Queenslanders who meet the criteria. This heralded a change of practice for health services across Queensland, both in the public and private sectors.

In this presentation, the presenter, a Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner, will discuss the process undertaken for the implementation of VAD in a large, not for profit, faith-based organisation. Encompassing residential aged care, specialist disability accommodation, housing and homelessness services, community services and both an adult and paediatric hospice, the organisation is diverse.  Drawing on her palliative care experience the presenter will discuss the successes and challenges of implementing the new process and model of care and will discuss the first 6 months of VAD in Queensland to share learnings.

The presenter will touch upon the juxtaposition of working in both the VAD and Palliative Care space and share personal reflections with the aim to create a conversation within the palliative care space.