THE recently-released annual report of the NSW Voluntary Assisted Dying Board reveals that 62 patients in the MidCoast Local Government Area had a first assessment for voluntary assisted dying (VAD) during the 12 months to 30 June 2025.
Only six other local government areas had a greater number of first assessments, with the Central Coast having the most at 201, followed by Wollongong with 92.
Voluntary assisted dying became legal in NSW on 28 November 2023 after the passing of the Voluntary Assisted Dying Act 2022.
“During the 2024-25 reporting period, 2,295 people made a first request to access voluntary assisted dying and 2,146 people had a first assessment of their eligibility,” the report states.
The process of assisted dying has several steps commencing with a first request followed by a first assessment.
During the 12 months to 30 June 2025, 1028 patients in NSW proceeded with a voluntary assisted death.
The report explains that voluntary assisted dying process is comprised of multiple requests and assessments.
Each patient needs to make three separate requests for voluntary assisted dying (a first request, a written declaration and a final request) and be assessed by two independent medical practitioners (a coordinating and consulting practitioner) against each of the eligibility criteria.
Patients can pause or stop the voluntary assisted dying process at any time and must decide to continue at each stage of the process and can decide whether they want to take the voluntary assisted dying substance themselves or have it administered to them by an authorised practitioner.
“Of the 1,028 people who proceeded with a voluntary assisted death in this reporting period, four out of five elected to have the voluntary assisted dying substance administered by an authorised practitioner,” the report states.
The data provided in the report shows that people accessing voluntary assisted dying in NSW are more likely to be male (54.1 percent), in their mid-seventies, live in a major city (58.5 percent), have a cancer diagnosis, and be receiving palliative care.
The Act requires that the Minister undertake a review of the operation and effectiveness of the Act after it has been in operation for two years.
By John WATTS
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