Episode 9 - Dignity in Dying: Reflections From VAD Care Navigators

Tianna and Kate both work within South Australia’s Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD) service. Tianna, a VAD liaison officer, and Kate, a VAD care navigator, assist individuals navigating the VAD process. They discuss the support they provide, from initial inquiries to coordinating assessments and ensuring patients and families feel informed and supported. They reflect on their motivations for joining the VAD service, the challenges within the system – such as legislative restrictions and limited practitioner involvement – and the deeply personal experiences of those choosing VAD. Both highlight the importance of choice, autonomy, and dignity in end-of-life care. They emphasise the need for more trained practitioners to sustain the service. Through their experiences, they’ve witnessed the profound impact VAD has on patients and families, reinforcing the value of compassionate, informed, and patient-centred care.   Comprehensive information on Voluntary Assisted Dying in Your State is provided on the Go Gentle website  at https://www.gogentleaustralia.org.au/vad_in_your_state or by contacting your State Health Department.  If listening to this podcast raises distressing issues for you, please contact one of the following support services: Griefline (https://griefline.org.au/) 1300 845 745 Grief Australia (https://www.grief.org.au/) 1800 642 745 Lifeline (https://www.lifeline.org.au/) 13 11 14, or chat online 24 hours a day See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.