The ACT government will establish a voluntary assisted dying implementation taskforce.

The taskforce will begin early implementation planning to prepare the health system and health workforce to deliver voluntary assisted dying services once the legislation is enacted.

The taskforce will co-ordinate:

• Care and referral pathways across the health system.
• Establishment of care navigation and pharmacy services.
• Clinical guidelines and regulations.
• Workforce training and accreditation.
• Communications and engagement with the community.
• Establishing a new independent review board.

Community representatives will also be invited to participate to ensure voluntary assisted dying services are fit for purpose and meet community expectations.

Human Rights Minister Tara Cheyne says: “We know that even with the best end-of-life care, some Canberrans with an advanced condition, illness or disease can experience intolerable suffering near the end of their lives.

“To promote the autonomy and dignity of these people, the ACT government has considered how to approach and regulate access to voluntary assisted dying through undertaking extensive community consultation throughout the past year.

“From this consultation, we have heard a number of clear needs from the community, which this newly established taskforce will work to address as we continue to progress the legislation through to its implementation.”