Aged care operators in South Australia will not be exempt from the Government’s Voluntary Assisted Dying laws which are expected to pass a final vote later this month.
Bill co-sponsor, Labor deputy leader Susan Close, said this clause recognised the rights of individuals living in aged care homes.
“If you’re in an aged care facility, even run by the Catholic Church, it is your home,” said Close.
“You have more rights under the aged care act, and morally because it’s your home, to have access to the doctors you want and to the procedures that you want.
“I think what we’ve done is actually improved on the Victorian model which was silent on these matters and has left it to the government and institutions to try and work their way through.”
Not For Profit aged care and healthcare provider Calvary Care said it was “saddened” by the legislation’s success.
“The recognition of Institutional Conscientious Objection means that Calvary can continue to serve the people of South Australia in that we will be able to offer high-quality hospital and end of life care to our patients and clients without being compromised by VAD,” said Calvary Care chair Jim Birch (pictured).
“In all of our hospitals and aged care facilities, the people we care for and the people who provide care know our services will not offer VAD.”