WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT

DWDQ Update April/May 2024

As we enter the 17th month since VAD was implemented in Queensland, DWDQ has been reflecting on and reacting to the changes in the needs of both our members and supporters.

With the implementation of VAD, DWDQ recognised the need to change from an advocacy lobby group to an organisation focussed on meeting member and supporter needs in the following areas:

Support

• Provide support and advice to individuals, family members and carers facing end-of-life situations and decisions.
• Refer people to other organisations that can provide specialist support, information and resources.
• Provide helpful information via a phone and email support service, webinars, seminars, the website, newsletters and brochures.
• Strengthen regional groups to ensure that support can be provided in regional areas across QLD.

Education

• Educate the public, healthcare providers and other stakeholders about the new VAD law and EOL planning.
• Build relationships with medical bodies and other organisations concerned with EOL issues.
• Pursue opportunities to collaborate with other organisations providing educational, EOL resources to avoid duplication.
• Organise or participate in end-of-life seminars, events etc to educate the public about all EOL choices and rights.

Engage

• Engage in the QLD VAD implementation process through communication with the Dept of Health.
• Help recruit medical practitioners to undertake the training and to provide VAD to eligible individuals.
• Monitor the VAD scheme by collecting data and monitoring access across the state once the scheme is operational.
• Strengthen relationships with existing VAD Alliance members and other important stakeholders.

Defend

• Monitor opponents’ activities and take defensive action as required.
• Maintain a strong media and political presence by continuing to collect and publish testimonies.
• Help ensure access to VAD in faith-based health and aged care facilities.
• Work with interstate DWD groups to protect and potentially improve all Australian VAD laws.

To date DWDQ has been working on meeting the needs in these areas:

Support

• Responded to requests for information from email enquiries, 1300 phone calls 
• Witnessed signatures of people applying for VAD
• Provided referral information to QVAD, Palliative Care, Griefline 
• Grown our reach in regional and rural areas with Bundaberg, Sunshine Coast and Longreach with active member representatives.  

Education 

• Developed and presented Information Sessions to various groups across Brisbane, Bribie Island, Bundaberg
• Distributed QVAD (Queensland Voluntary Assisted Dying) flyers to GPs
• Built and continuing to build relationships with QVAD, Advance Care Planning Australia, Griefline

Engage

• Built an ongoing relationship with QVAD, Queensland University, Clem Jones Group
• Monitored access to VAD in aged care facilities and in rural and remote areas
• Networked with other VAD groups in Australia and NZ

Defend

• Campaigned to support the Kate Chaney Bill to amend the Commonwealth Criminal Code that prevents doctors from using a phone, computer or telehealth to discuss VAD with their patients
• Worked on projects with other VAD groups in Australia and NZ to achieve Australia wide reform
  • Media language, 
  • Kate Chaney Telehealth Bill, 
  • Dementia and VAD
• Supporting Dying with Dignity ACT and NT to get their VAD Legislation passed.

DWDQ needs your support to continue and grow.

PLEASE SUPPORT US BY

Becoming a Member 

Click on the box below and choose the type of membership you want

Making a Tax Deductible Donation

Click on the box below to make a donation.  

Please note DWDQ is a registered charity and your donation is tax deductible.

Volunteering with us

Click on the box below and provide details (in the inquiry section) of the area/s you would be happy to volunteer.

We are currently looking for volunteers with skills to assist us in the following areas:

Communication

• Website Development
• Graphic Design
• Content Writer (Website Content, Newsletters, Updates)

Administration

• Database Administration
• Letter Writing
• Phone Calls

Event Organising

• Information Sessions
• AGM
• Mini Roundtable Conference

Thank you for your ongoing support.