South Australian Voluntary Euthanasia Society
The following is from the SAVES Newsletter, The VE Bulletin, Vol 16 No 2, July 99
First Euthanasia Clinic Now Held
The first of Dr
Philip Nitschke's Euthanasia Advisory Clinics was held in Melbourne from 27
to 29 April. Twelve patients were seen in the three days,
most being over the age of 60 and suffering from cancer.
Accurate factual information was provided so that they
would be in a better position to make informed decisions.
Complaints have been laid by the AMA but, as Philip
points out, "giving people information so that they can
make wise choices in no way encourages a person to end
their lives. In many instances, accurate information on
this topic leads terminally ill patients to delay
significantly, or even abandon their plans".
Further clinics have been scheduled for the five State
capital cities, those in Adelaide being on 10-13 August
and 6-10 December. The national booking number is
0500-83-1929. Funds are urgently needed to support the
service. Donations may be sent to the address given below.
The following is from the SAVES Newsletter, The VE Bulletin, Vol 16 No 1, March 99
VE Clinic Plans for Melbourne
Dr Philip Nitschke's plans to establish a Voluntary Euthanasia
Advisory Clinic in Melbourne, the first of its type in the world,
are well advanced. The location of the clinic is yet to be
determined but details of how it will operate have been settled.
The clinic will stand as a symbol of the voluntary euthanasia
cause, a powerful reminder that this issue did not disappear with
the overturning of the Northern Territory law. It will also act as
a base to coordinate Philip's current work in helping terminally
ill patients. Contact with new patients seeking voluntary
euthanasia now averages about two per week.
The collection of medical records and the assessment of patients,
needs a base in a major centre, along with a national 1800 freecall
telephone number to facilitate contact. The centre will provide a
venue for phone counselling and the planning of home visits for
patients, while providing facilities for face to face counselling and
the provision of confidential information for those able to travel
to the clinic.
The advice and assistance provided will fit broadly into one of
three levels. It will range from phone advice of a general nature,
to specific information relating to a particular individual's medical
circumstances, to detailed help, including everything necessary to
achieve a peaceful death at a time of the patient's choosing.
All the assistance offered to patients will
be free. This is possible only because a
number of generous donations have been
made by supporters of voluntary euthanasia. About half of the money necessary to trial the Melbourne clinic for 6
months has so far been collected.
The Clinic will have a "shopfront" for
people with a general interest in voluntary euthanasia. Apart from a range of
printed material available to those
visiting the shop, items of a more specific and practical nature will be on
display and offered for sale.
As the first project of its type in the
world, many obstacles will need to be
overcome. Nevertheless, interest in the
proposal is high with offers of support
from many quarters. A sister clinic in
Sydney is already under consideration
for the not too distant future.
Donations are clearly crucial to the
success of Philip's inspired initiative.
Donations, and any comments and suggestions, may be sent to:
VE Clinic Fund
PO Box 37781, Winnellie, NT,
Australia, 0821
More information on the venture may be
found at the Deliverance Internet Site:
www.euthanasia.net
Further information on these and related issues is available from SAVES.
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