Eligibility Criteria

To be able to access the Voluntary Assisted Dying service the person must  

• Have an eligible condition
• Have decision-making capacity in relation to VAD
• Be acting voluntarily and without coercion
• Be at least 18 years of age 
• Fulfil residency requirements 

For detailed information on eligibility criteria visit Brisbane South HealthPathways under Voluntary Assisted Dying or Queensland Health/Voluntary assisted dying/Eligibility criteria

If a person is unlikely to meet all eligibility criteria for accessing voluntary assisted dying, it is recommended that you explore this with them in a sensitive and compassionate manner and that you explore with your patient treatments and support options available to them to help them manage their physical or mental suffering.  If despite optimal management, the person still wishes to make a first request for VAD, they have the right to do so and they may need to be referred to an authorised VAD practitioner who can accept their first request and formally assess their eligibility for VAD.

Referral information

Please provide the following information (if available)

• Reason for Referral (e.g., Patient request for information about VAD; patient wishes to make a first request for VAD; Consulting Assessment; Referral for determination (prognosis/decision making capacity/voluntariness or coercion) )
• Patient’s principal diagnosis for access to VAD and prognosis (if known) 
• Comorbidities 
• Treatment options accepted or refused by the person and expected outcomes 
• Relevant psychosocial factors 
• Communication and support needs of the person

How to refer

You may submit your referral by completing the appropriate form (preferred) or on your practice’s letter head or referral template

•  Referral for a first request/first assessment (VAD Referral)
•  Referral for a consulting assessment
•  Referral for determination
   
• Referrals can be sent directly to the service via GP Smart Referrals or
• can be submitted through the Central Referral Hub via:
  • Secure messaging
  • Fax 1300 364 248
  • Post 

    Central Referral Hub
    PO Box 4195
    Eight Mile Plains QLD 411

Contact us

For referral enquiries contact the Central Referral Hub on 1300 364 155

For VAD enquiries you may contact:

• The Queensland Voluntary Assisted Dying Support Service (QVAD Support), or
• The Metro South Health Voluntary Assisted Dying Support Unit (MSH VAD SU) by
  • Phone on 3564 0372 from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm Monday to Friday, or 
  • Email (enquiries only) to MSHVADSupportUnit@health.qld.gov.au  (please note: this is not a secure pathway for referrals)