A Case to Oppose Legalisation of Telehealth Carriage Service Consultations for Assisted Suicide and Euthanasia
Eugene Ahern 20 January 2023
The legalisation and availability of telehealth carriage service consultations by - for example video link for euthanasia and voluntary assisted dying would open the doors to far more readily available access to euthanasia and voluntary assisted dying.
It is essential those concerned with the protection of the lives of patients oppose all moves by the federal government to legislate to permit doctors to use telehealth consultations for voluntary assisted dying and euthanasia. Both assisted suicide and euthanasia are now legal in all Australia's states - (it became legal in Queensland from 1st January 2023.
When telemedicine can be dangerous - even deadly
Why telehealth should never be used to prescribe lethal drugs for assisted suicide
The coronavirus pandemic has forced us to adapt the way we access health care, and telehealth is now widely used to overcome many hurdles related to receiving in-person attention. But there are some contexts in which relying on telemedicine can be dangerous - even deadly. Telemedicine should never be used in the context of assisted suicide because it increases the dangers of a practice already ripe for abuse.
The American Clinicians Academy on Medical Aid in Dying recently put out guidelines (acamaid.org) for doctors to prescribe lethal drugs remotely. Their reckless recommendations include establishing the diagnosis, prognosis and decision-making capacity of patients to “legally establish the patient’s first verbal request and the start of the waiting period.” Following the waiting period, the required second verbal request for assisted suicide can be made “by telephone without visual contact.”
Oppose Fly in, Fly out Death Regime
It's a 'death regime' say Queensland bishop opposed to government plan to fly in doctors to help terminally ill patients end their lives.
TOWNSVILLE Bishop Tim Harris is a leading voice demanding the Queensland Government rescind a decision to fund doctors flying to regional parts of the state to help terminally ill patients end their lives.
"Let's call it for what it is - it is a death regime and an assault on a civilised society," Bishop Tim Harris said.
Woman with Chemical Sensitivities Chose Medically-Assisted Death After Failed Bid to get Better Housing
A Canadian woman suffering from severe allergies and chemical sensitivities was able to legally end her own life due to the country’s expansive medical aid in dying (MAiD) laws. According to CTV News, the 51-year-old woman known as Sophia chose to die simply because she could afford no better place to live.
Fly in, Fly out Doctors to Help with Euthanasia
UPDATE ON PUSH FOR TELEHEALTH CONSULTATIONS FOR EUTHANASIA. A REMINDER - Don't forget to Oppose Telehealth video-link consultations for euthanasia and assisted dying.
It is essential we oppose the federal government legislating to allow doctors to use telehealth consultations to authorise physician assisted suicide which all states now allow.
Victorian Election Campaign 2022
Despite limited resources, time constraints and opposition by suppliers, Right to Life Australia delivered an intensive campaign in October/November 2022 leading up to the 26 November 2022 Victorian election. Although we are disappointed at the overall results of the Victorian election, we believe our work in the electorates of Caulfield and Sandringham influenced the results in these seats.
Fiona Patten's Bill to defund Catholic Hospitals fails
On 17th August 2022, Fiona Patten's Bill to defund Catholic Hospitals failed, as all the Labor and all the Liberal Members of the Legislative Council voted against it. She called her bill, the "Health Legislation Amendment (Conscientious Objection) Bill 2022. It provided:
"a denominational hospital – (a) must provide advice and services for or relating to voluntary assisted dying; and (b) in the case of a denominational hospital that provides gynaecological, obstetrics or neonatal services – must provide advice and services for or relating to - (i) contraception; and (ii) the supply of contraceptives; and (iii) medical or surgical abortion;"
New UK health secretary faces pressure over abortion stance
Thérèse Coffey, a Catholic, has voted consistently for pro-life positions.LUKE COPPEN September 7, 2022
Britain's new health secretary is facing pressure over her stance on abortion.
Thérèse Coffey, a practicing Catholic, was named the U.K.'s deputy prime minister and health secretary on Sept. 6 by incoming prime minister Liz Truss, the successor to Boris Johnson. Coffey, who has voted against measures to expand abortion, told Sky News on Sept. 7 that she was "a complete democrat.""It's not that I'm seeking to undo any aspects of abortion laws," she said.
Courageous MP Speaks Out Against Euthanasia
Mr Julian Leeser MP (Berowra), 2 August, 2022: This is not the first time I’ve risen in this place to speak on this matter. Every few years, the old arguments are dusted off and freshened up and someone wants to raise the flag on this issue or thinks the numbers might finally be in their favour to turn the tables. In the last parliament I said that I rose with a heavy heart; today the weight is doubled. I’m sad that we are fighting what I sense will be a losing battle. I think that, in time, we will look upon this as a huge mistake, but even if the Restoring Territory Rights Bill 2022 is passed I will not regret standing here today and being counted. There are times in your life when doing so is important, and today for me is absolutely one of those days. I’m standing to speak about something that I know, at the very core of my being, is wrong. We’ve seen in the past that where this goes is monstrous. Nothing about what we’re doing today is enlightened or compassionate, even though the proponents’ intention may be to do so. As we rip apart these laws, what we are doing is ripping apart the values our society has stood for.
Oppose telehealth video-link consultations for euthanasia and assisted dying
It is essential Right to Life Australia Inc. and our supporters do our utmost to prevent the federal government legislating to allow doctors to use telehealth consultations to authorise physician assisted suicide which all states now allow.
DON'T DELAY ACT TODAY!We urge readers to please IMMEDIATELY contact your local Member of the House of Representatives AND to the senators representing your state. TO Use our contact details in the brochure CLICK HEREEITHER: |
Prominent Doctor "extremely concerned"
Dr John Daffy, spokesperson for the Australian Care Alliance, a group opposed to voluntary euthanasia, said he was "extremely concerned" about any legislation that would enable doctors to conduct telehealth consultations on "something as serious as this".
"Through in-person consultations, you get to know patients and with every consult and interaction you learn more about them and you can pick up on their unspoken body language, which can't be ascertained through the internet," Dr Daffy said.
- Leaders say no to euthanasia
- I won't intentionally help my patients to end their lives
- 'Abortion to Birth Bill' passes in South Australia
- THE VALUE OF HUMAN LIFE
- Your Action is needed in three states!
- Regarding "The Age' Newspaper
- A tragic story enacted in Canberra Hospital
- The Unborn Child as a patient
- Unborn Kiwis In Danger Of Extinction - Ardern's Abortion Bill Passes
- Battle over embryos leads to calls for personhood status
- Queensland and "Voluntary Assisted Dying"
- Euthanasia: Assisted dying figures alarming, Labor MP Marlene Kairouz says
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