Voices From Voluntary Assisted Dying
Dr Laureen Lawlor-Smith
Publishing Details
Contact & Outreach
About This Podcast
This podcast series aims to share stories from the family members of loved ones who have accessed Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD) in South Australia. VAD enables eligible people to voluntarily access and self-administer - or in some cases have a doctor administer - a medication that will end their life.
The journeys undertaken in this podcast are deeply personal and reflective of the speakers' own experiences and circumstances.
VAD in South Australia is only accessible to people who meet strict criteria.
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
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Recent Episodes
S1E23 Episode 23 - The Rural Reality of Voluntary Assisted Dying with Dr Tim Leeuwenburg
Access to voluntary assisted dying can depend heavily on where a patient lives. Rural doctor Dr Tim Leeuwenburg sees this firsthand through his work on Kangaroo Island, where patients often face long…
S1E22 Episode 22 - How the ACT Legalised Voluntary Assisted Dying
ACT Attorney-General Tara Cheyne reflects on the long and complex journey to legalise voluntary assisted dying (VAD) in the ACT, from the overturning of Northern Territory laws in 1997 to the…
S1E21 Episode 21 – From Advocacy to Law: The Evolution of VAD in New Zealand
Voluntary assisted dying can provide dignity and relief at the end of life, but legislation must balance access with safeguards. Ann David, former President of New Zealand’s End of Life Choice…
S1E20 Episode 20 – Dr Laureen Lawlor-Smith’s own reflections on VAD
Roles are reversed this episode as Dr Laureen Lawlor-Smith – who normally sits in the host’s chair – is interviewed by previous guest, Jane Nosworthy, VAD support group facilitator with Dying With…
S1E19 Episode 19 - Inside Victoria’s Voluntary Assisted Dying Reforms
Jane Morris, President of Dying with Dignity Victoria, traces her lifelong commitment to voluntary assisted dying, shaped by childhood experiences, nursing practice, bioethics study, and the…
S1E18 Episode 18 - Kimberly
Kimberly shares the deeply personal experience of supporting two loved ones through motor neurone disease and voluntary assisted dying. Rohan who declined rapidly after his 2020 diagnosis, discovered…
S1E17 Episode 17 – How the NT led the world on assisted dying
The world’s first voluntary assisted dying law to be enacted and used was passed in Australia’s Northern Territory – only to be overturned months later by the Federal Parliament. The man behind that…
S1E16 Episode 16 – Dr Arnold’s opposition to acceptance of VAD: a personal journey
Dr Lynn Arnold once stood firmly against voluntary assisted dying (VAD). Initially concerned about the potential for abuse, his perspective changed after witnessing the prolonged suffering of his…
S1E15 Episode 15 – Supporting patient-centred decisions in palliative care
Voluntary assisted dying isn’t just about law – it’s about people, compassion, and choice. Dr Peter Allcroft, one of South Australia’s most influential leaders in palliative care and voluntary…
S1E14 Episode 14 – Dementia decisions and the legal limits of assisted dying
Casey Haining is a Research Fellow and PhD candidate at the Australian Centre for Health Law Research at QUT and also holds a research position at the University of Melbourne. Her academic work…
S1E13 Episode 13 – A GP’s perspective on voluntary assisted dying
With nearly 40 years’ experience as a general practitioner, Dr Nick Carr was one of the first GPs trained in VAD in Victoria. He reflects on the privilege of supporting patients at the end of life,…
S1E12 Episode 12 – Faith, Autonomy and the Right to Die
Rev Dr Anna Grant-Henderson, a Uniting Church minister, reflects on her journey toward supporting VAD, shaped by personal experiences, parish ministry, and theological insights. Anna shares her role…
S1E11 Episode 11 – What most Australians still don’t know about voluntary assisted dying
Ben White is Professor of End-of-Life Law and Regulation at QUT’s Australian Centre for Health Law Research. With over 200 publications and $45 million in research funding, his work focuses on…
S1E10 Episode 10 - The Buddhist Lens on Voluntary Assisted Dying
Letting go – of control, fear, and clinging – is not a failure, but a path to peace, compassion, and deep spiritual clarity at the end of life. Carol Perry, a teacher with Melbourne Insight…
S1E9 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…
S1E8 Episode 8 — Eve
Eve’s mother, Marion, accessed voluntary assisted dying in 2023 after living with multiple chronic health conditions. Eve reflects on her mother’s resilience, selflessness, and determination to…
S1E7 Episode 7 - Rowan: “Love lasts longer than life”
Rowan’s mum Felicia, was born in a refugee camp before immigrating to Australia as a young child. Despite lifelong visual impairment Felicia went on to become a Professor of psychology at Cambridge…
S1E6 Episode 6 - VAD progress & the road ahead
Despite much progress with voluntary assisted dying in Australia, challenges still exist, including the need for streamlined processes, expanded access, and support for healthcare professionals to…
S1E5 Episode 5 - Supporting families through the journey of VAD
Many families find it difficult to navigate the complexities of voluntary assisted dying (VAD). That’s according to Jane Nosworthy and Kerrie Arthur. Jane is a Board member of Dying with Dignity…
S1E4 Episode 4 – Carolyn
Carolyn, a long-time GP, shares her profound journey through medicine and palliative care, highlighting her dedication to voluntary assisted dying (VAD). Initially aspiring to be a vet, she pursued…
Frequently Asked Questions
Voices From Voluntary Assisted Dying has published 23 episodes since October 2024, covering topics in Health & Fitness, Medicine.
Voices From Voluntary Assisted Dying is currently highly active with new episodes monthly. Average episode length is 37m.
Sign up on Grep.FM to access contact details for Voices From Voluntary Assisted Dying, including email and social media links.
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