DOCTORS REFORM SOCIETY

Media Release

Wednesday, 9 March 2005

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PREVENTING PATIENTS ACCESS TO INFORMATION ABOUT EUTHANASIA

“The Federal government’s proposed law about euthanasia appears to be a thinly veiled attempt to prevent patients accessing information about voluntary euthanasia,” said Dr Tim Woodruff, President, Doctors Reform Society

“We strongly support moves to prevent encouragement of youth suicide” said Dr Woodruff, “but this law appears to go much further than that and prevent those patients with untreatable terminal illnesses from accessing information about the legal choices available to them, including voluntary euthanasia.”

“It is already illegal to assist a person to commit suicide,” said Dr Woodruff, “so the purpose of this additional unnecessary legislation would appear to be simply to deny some of our most desperate patients the information they seek”.

“The prevention of youth suicide requires governments to address the real issues confronting youth, the social disadvantage, homelessness, undertreated mental illnesses, unemployment and the sense of alienation. If governments were really serious about youth suicide, it is these areas they would be addressing. The predicted budget surplus would suggest there is plenty of money available if they are really interested.”

Dr Tim Woodruff

President

Doctors Reform Society

Dr Con Costa

Vice President

Doctors Reform Society