DWDQ July Update 2024

DWDQ – Information Sessions About VAD And Other News

Following on from our successful June/July Information Sessions and to keep up the momentum and ensure the general public is aware of VAD as a choice at the end-of-life, DWDQ has opened bookings for our August and October information sessions. 

The following is a list of confirmed upcoming events with a number of others in the planning stage.

Upcoming Public Information Sessions

AUGUST

  • Townsville Aitkinville Library - Monday 12 August 2024, starting at 11 am
    • DWDQ Committee members will speak, followed by question time.
  • Bundaberg Library - Monday 12th August 2024, 10am till 12 pm. This is fully booked.
    • Guest speaker will be Corina Robinson who will talk about her role as a Death Doula.
  • New Farm Neighbourhood Centre, 967 Brunswick St. New Farm. Monday 26th August 2024 at 10 am.
    • To register and for catering purposes, please email [email protected] stating how many people you would like to bring (e.g. + 2)

SEPTEMBER

  • Burnie Brae, Community Centre. 60 Kuran Sat Chermside.  Wednesday 18 September 2024 at 10 am.
    • To register and for catering purposes, please email [email protected] stating how many people you would like to bring (e.g. + 2)
  • Acacia Ridge Community Centre. Inala Community House, 29 Chardean St. Acacia Ridge. Monday 16 September at 10 am.  
    • To register and for catering purposes, please email [email protected] stating how many people you would like to bring (e.g. + 2)

OCTOBER

  • Bribie Island RSL - Wednesday 2nd October 2024. 
    • DWDQ Committee members will speak, followed by question time. To register and for catering purposes, please email [email protected] stating how many people you would like to bring (e.g. + 2)
  • Caboolture Library – Thursday 3rd October 2024  
    • DWDQ Committee members will speak, followed by question time. To register and for catering purposes, please email [email protected] stating how many people you would like to bring (e.g. + 2)
  • Avenell Heights Hall – Monday 14th October from 9 am to 3 pm. 
    • Come and visit us at our DWDQ information table at the U3A Seniors One Stop Expo. DWDQ committee members will be there to answer your questions about VAD.
  • Bundaberg Library – Monday 21st October from 10 am till 12 pm
    • Guest Speaker – Lawyer Sarah Protani. Sarah will be speaking on the legal documents we should all have in place. If you would like to attend, please email Cynthia on [email protected] 
  • Hervey Bay Library – Tuesday 22nd October 10 am till 11 am. Please ring the library on 4197 4220 to book
    • A DWDQ Committee member will speak, followed by question time.

Book a Private Group VAD Information Session 

In addition to providing our Public Information Sessions, DWDQ has been providing VAD information sessions as a guest speaker to private groups.  These groups include Rotary, Probus, U3A, Retirement Villages, Neighbourhood Watch and many others. If you belong to a group and think they would be interested in booking DWDQ as a guest speaker, please talk to your group’s event organiser and contact the DWDQ Public Education Team at [email protected] to book a date and time for your Private Group Information Session.

July Private Group Information Sessions

In July DWDQ was the guest speaker at two private group Information Sessions. Both sessions were very successful with questions covering a wide range of topics from accessing VAD in faith-based care facilities, palliative care, dementia and how to ensure your wishes are adhered to.

One session was held at Natures Edge Retirement Village on the Sunshine Coast and was attended by approximately 100 residents of the village. As a result of this event, 27 people have signed up as new supporters with DWDQ.

The second session was held at the U3A Beachmere Campus and was open to all U3A registered members. The group engaged well during the presentation and asked a wide range of questions.

Response to VAD Second Request Witness Register Call-Out

The response to DWDQ’s VAD Second Request Witness Register call-out was amazing with 33 members and supporters registering their interest. The members and supporters registering their interest come from 21 different locations and cover areas of the state from the Atherton Tablelands down to the Gold Coast and out to Stanthorpe. Thank you to all who registered their interest.

If you are interested in registering as a potential witness for a person in your local area who is accessing voluntary assisted dying, please register your details with DWDQ by clicking on the link below and providing details (in the inquiry section) of the areas/suburbs you would be happy to cover. Contact Us (dwdq.org.au)

The First Year of Voluntary Assisted Dying in Queensland

In June 2024 the Queensland Voluntary Assisted Dying Review Board produced a snapshot of information about the first year of voluntary assisted dying in Queensland.

The report summarises activity between the commencement of the Voluntary Assisted Dying Act 2021 (the Act) on 1 January 2023 and 31 December 2023. 

The report shows that from 1 January to 31 December 2023:

  • 1,323 people had a first assessment to assess their eligibility to access voluntary assisted dying
  • 598 people died from administration of a voluntary assisted dying substance
  • There were 361 authorised voluntary assisted dying practitioners across Queensland as at 31 December 2023.

The report also provides information about who accessed voluntary assisted dying in 2023:

  • people were aged between 18 and 107 years and the median age was 73
  • 48% of people lived in regional, rural or remote parts of Queensland
  • 78% of people had a cancer diagnosis.

To access the complete 2023 Summary Report and for further information – click here 2023 Summary Report (health.qld.gov.au)

To continue our work and to grow DWDQ needs your support

PLEASE SUPPORT US BY

Becoming a Member 

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

Become a Member - Dying with Dignity Queensland (dwdq.org.au)

Making a Tax Deductible Donation

Click on the link below to make a donation.  

DWDQ is an ACNC registered charity. Donations over $2 are tax deductible.

Donate - Dying with Dignity Queensland (dwdq.org.au)

Jos Hall

President, 

Dying with Dignity Queensland
https://www.dwdq.org.au/

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