People with dementia will be prevented from accessing voluntary assisted dying under proposed laws in Western Australia.
A 13-member expert panel chaired by former WA governor Malcolm McCusker delivered its final report to state parliament on Thursday, providing 31 recommendations for government to consider.
"(The report provides) compassion for those suffering and facing death and safeguards against all kinds of possibilities, the chief one of which was raised several times, which was coercion," Mr McCusker told reporters.
The panel recommends a person over the age of 18 and ordinarily living in WA will be eligible for voluntary assisted dying if death is reasonably foreseeable within 12 months.
Mr McCusker and Health Minister Roger Cook noted that was similarly recommended in Victoria, which has legalised assisted dying but for political reasons it was reduced to six months.
Under the WA plan, a person must have decision-making capacities and make three requests, including one in writing witnessed by two people who will not benefit financially from their death.
Two doctors will also be required to assess the person and be independently satisfied they meet the criteria.
Doctors and nurses won't be compelled to participate but if they choose not to, must provide information to the patient to allow access elsewhere.
Mr McCusker said the primary approach would be for the person to self-administer the medication to "enforce the fact that this is a voluntary act" but they can be assisted by a practitioner if required.
The panel recommends at least 18 months between the law passing and its commencement.
The legislation should also be reviewed three years later.
Mr Cook said there were still considerations to be made about how best to implement the plan in remote areas and the role of pharmacies.
The minister acknowledged health professionals remained divided on the issue but said while it was a difficult debate it was one the community was ready for.
"This is not a choice about whether someone lives or dies ... it's about the manner of that death," Mr Cook said.
Dying With Dignity WA president Steve Walker said the report was a significant milestone following an extremely rigorous process.
"It is clear the panel has incorporated the feedback from their consultations with key stakeholders, such as the medical community and the public, in the development of the safeguards outlined," he said.
But AMA WA president Omar Khorshid said the fundamental weakness in the plan was only two medical practitioners were required to take a person through the process, describing it as more dangerous than Victoria's laws.
"In Victoria, there is a permit system, which means there is some level of oversight," he said.
"We call on the government to introduce a bill ... that contains all of the safeguards of the Victorian model and perhaps a few more. The AMA believes there are some gaps in the Victorian model."
The legislation will be introduced in the WA parliament in August and MPs will have a conscience vote.
Australian Associated Press
