SAVES is not affiliated with Exit International / Dr Philip Nitschke and opposes the public availability of a 'peaceful pill'.

Elizabeth Dabars addressed the Shirley Nolan Rally on behalf of Lee Thomas, Branch Secretary of the Australian Nursing Federation (South Australian Branch), and reiterated the federation's official policy supporting choice for voluntary euthanasia. The transcript of her speech to the media and those attending the rally follows:

The Australian Nursing Federation (ANF) SA Branch is an organisation that represents and supports Registered and Enrolled Nurses, Midwifes and Personal Care Assistants in South Australia.

The ANF (SA Branch) works on democratic principles. In order to reflect the views expressed by South Australian ANF members, in 1997 the ANF (SA Branch) adopted a policy on Euthanasia . This policy recognises the horror of unrelenting suffering and recognises the fundamental right to self-determination. It also seeks to protect and preserve the legitimate right of nurses, who, for their own reasons, choose to conscientiously object.

In addition to this policy, at our 2001 Annual Delegates Conference, South Australian ANF members passed a resolution. That resolution directed the ANF (SA Branch) to lobby the government to change the law to decriminalise euthanasia. Through my discussions with ANF members, the intent of that resolution was to legalise and regulate voluntary euthanasia in South Australia.

It is because of the strong beliefs of ANF (SA Branch) members that the ANF is speaking out in favour of the Dignity in Dying Bill today.Through my own experiences as a nurse over the last 8-9 years, and from what I have gleaned through conversations with other nurses, the primary concern of a nurse working with a hopelessly ill person is to ensure quality of care, dignity and to alleviate suffering.

Nurses are intricately involved with the care of the patient. Strong bonds frequently develop between patient, nurse and family. In fact, a nurse can often feel as though they are part of that family, or at least a dear and trusted friend. Indeed, within the close relationship developed between nurse and patient, just as is the case with other nurses, people suffering from terminal illnesses have asked me to help them die. In addition to specific requests, I can recall many occasions where a hopelessly ill person has expressed "why can't I just die" or "why won't they just let me die". This is not an easy situation to deal with, but it is made more complicated by the absence of options, support, information and regulations for the benefit of both the nurse and the hopelessly ill person.

It is an accepted fact that some nurses have actively engaged in illegal acts of euthanasia. Such activity is currently facilitated by judicious use of the Consent to Medical Treatment & Palliative Care Act 1995 which enables a doctor to prescribe sufficient quantities of pain relief so as to relieve the consenting patient's pain, even if the known consequence is to hasten death.Of course, it is generally the nursing staff who are charged with administering this medication. That is not to say that nurses are agents of death, rather, they are intent on offering care and dignity in dying'.

In my experience, nurses use such avenues for the purpose of alleviating suffering with the absolute consent and blessing of the patient. Still by virtue of the law, they could technically be seen to be engaging in an illegal act of euthanasia.Nurses struggle with this terrible dichotomy. On the one hand, the nurse feels ethically and morally justified in alleviating suffering at the request of the patient, and the nurse is in fact permitted to use such medication with the intention of alleviating pain. On the other hand, the current law hinges on the underlying intention of why the medication is being administered, and so it is possible that the nurse could be seen to be performing an illegal act. Nurses can suffer terribly with this dichotomy, fearful of retribution and shamed into resorting to covert activity.

At times this struggle leads to a reluctance to use the medication prescribed to its intended potential, and as a consequence, the patient may be exposed to an inconsistent pattern of relief, swinging between peace and pain. In addition, a hopelessly ill person may not actually be suffering from physical pain, and so, the Consent to Medical Treatment & Palliative Care Act has no relevance to them at all.

This ethical and legal disparity, which exists due to a gap in the law must be bridged. Indeed that gap may be bridged by the passing of the Dignity in Dying Bill. It is the opinion of the Australian Nursing Federation (SA Branch) that voluntary euthanasia is not incompatible with good quality care, rather, it should be an option for the hopelessly ill person where no alternatives acceptable to that person exist. This option need not be taken up, and nurses will continue to be there to support and care for both people who do chose to utilize the voluntary euthanasia option and those who do not.

Nurses, as they have done through the ages, will continue to offer support, comfort and care to those in vulnerable situations and the Australian Nursing Federation will continue to strive and advocate for adequate resources to provide such high quality care. Nurses want what is best for the patient and, truly, the only person who can make the decision of 'what is best' for them, is the individual in question. The only proviso to this blanket suggestion, is that the person is well informed, through consulting with their medical team, and is legally competent to make such a decision. Further, medical, family and psychological factors need to be considered, and this requires medical and family support. At present, medical professionals and families are unable to offer support in this manner, and the individual may feel alone, abandoned, fearful of a painful death, and in fact seek death pre-emptively, for fear of not being able to carry their actions out at a later date. Failure to engage in open discussion regarding these matters may also result in poor decisions and errors stemming from clouded perception. These are issues that could be avoided with the legalisation of voluntary euthanasia.

The Dignity in Dying Bill is balanced, and takes into account many concerns and issues including confining applicability of voluntary euthanasia only to those who are hopelessly ill, the absolute requirement for full and valid consent and provision for conscientious objection.

To be passed, however, this bill requires strong, ethically minded politicians who are prepared to ride through knee-jerk reactions to achieve legal recognition for something that is already a reality. Making voluntary euthanasia legal would simply ensure proper restrictions and limitations are in place.

The Dignity in Dying Bill has the support of the Australian Nursing Federation (South Australian Branch). We look forward to a time when patients and families can discuss their wishes with nursing staff, and that those wishes are legally recognised and facilitated in an open and inclusive manner, for the benefit of the hopelessly ill person.