Our Position on Assisted Dying
Our Position on Assisted Dying
The New Zealand End of Life Choice Act 2019 came into force in 2021 when New Zealanders voted in a Referendum to have assisted dying legalised here.
Most of the Hospice sector in New Zealand, including Hospice Whanganui ‘conscientiously objected’ to the Act. The reason for this is that the deep philosophy and kaupapa of hospice care is to neither hasten, nor postpone death, and that Hospice believes that exceptional palliative care is able to provide people with the choice to die with dignity and peace.
Hospice Whanganui deeply respects the choice of all New Zealanders to choose how they want to die, and we want our service to be a safe place for everyone. We are careful to ensure, however, that our patients and whānau know that palliative care (provided by Hospice) is separate from assisted dying services (provided by independent Government-approved clinicians). These services can, and do, work closely with each other, but they are not the same thing and we will continue to strongly advocate for these two services to remain independent of each other.
Hospice Whanganui also strongly believes that, like the assisted dying service in New Zealand, core palliative care services should be 100% funded by Government. Currently we only receive 50% of our funding from Government, while assisted dying services are fully funded.
All that said, Hospice Whanganui will never judge nor discriminate against patients who choose this path. We will walk alongside them, in equal measure as we walk alongside others who choose a different path. We offer all of our services, care and support to all patients regardless of the choices they make and will provide professional and compassionate care, advice and information to patients and their whānau who wish to explore assisted dying services.
If you want to know more or want to have a confidential conversation with any of our team about it, please do not hesitate to contact us. Alternatively, you can find all Government-approved information about the End of Life Choice Act on the SCENZ (Support and Consultation for End of Life in New Zealand) Group website by clicking here.
Please talk to one of our team at any time if you would like any advice or support.