Today’s Topics: Nov. 5, 2020
1. New Zealand referendum on EOL choice supported by majority
(Right To Die news list – FEN)
2. How to Scatter Cremated Remains
(Right To Die news list – FEN)
3. End of Life Symposium Webinar Series
(Right To Die news list – FEN)
Message: 1
New Zealand euthanasia: Assisted dying to be legal for terminally ill people BBC News By Preetti Jah, October 29, 2020
“Preliminary results showed 65.2% of voters supported the End of Life Choice Act coming into force as a new law.
“The law will allow terminally ill people with less than six months to live the opportunity to choose assisted dying if approved by two doctors.
“Its opponents say the law lacks adequate safeguards.
“The referendum results announced on Friday do not include an estimated 480,000 special votes, including overseas ballots, so the final outcome will not be confirmed until 6 November. But with such strong support, the decision is not expected to change.
“The referendum is binding and the law is expected to come into effect in November 2021…”
Read more at:
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-54728717
A must-read from a cardiologist who supports the End of Life Choice Act:
“From my perspective a physician has a professional obligation to place the wellbeing and rights of patients at the centre of their professional practice. To dismiss a patient’s wishes and requests on the basis that you know better than they what is good for them, is paternalistic and condescending, and ultimately reflects the doctor’s own insecurities…”
https://www.newsroom.co.nz/what-i-have-seen-as-a-cardiologist-has-changed-my-mind
Message: 2
How to Scatter Cremated Remains
New York Times
By Malia Wollan, Oct. 22, 2020
“…Last year in the United States, over half of those who died were cremated. In some states, like Nevada, that number is closer to 80 percent. Often the deceased will not leave behind specific directions for where to put their ashes…”
Read more at:
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/22/magazine/how-to-scatter-cremated-remains.html
Submitted by Althea Halchuck, EJD, CT, BCPA
Message: 3
CME: End of Life Symposium Webinar Series: Patient Perspectives on Medical Aid in Dying THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2020, 12:15 – 1:15 P.M.
Caring for patients at the end of life, whether during anticipated or sudden death is a challenging experience for everyone involved in providing care to the patient. Education and discussions around the issues faced at the end of life are critical to fostering a comfort level with clinical staff, caregivers, patients, families and institutions. As science advances to provide the latest treatments, the need for palliative and end of life care has also increased.
Those working with patients should be educated on and fully informed of how they can help patients in many ways and provide resources, including psychosocial and spiritual aspects, when they transition from curative to comfort-focused care.
Over a nine month period this activity is designed to educate and prepare those providing care to patients at the end of life in understanding the various influences that affect patients when the focus of their treatment changes from curative to comfort-focused care allowing for a life with quality even when curative treatments are no longer an option.
Location: Virtual Meeting R.S.V.P.
Objectives
Explore grief and bereavement at the end of life to help patients better manage the situation.
Understand Medical Aid in Dying and utilize resources available to patients/providers.
Who Should Attend
Physicians, nurses, administrators, social workers who care for patients at the end of life.
CME Credits: 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit
City of Hope is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
Submitted by Lonny Shavelson, M.D.
