92 people choose assisted dying in first six months it has been legal
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Loading... - Allison Bergeron
- 09 May 2022
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Saturday, May 7, marked six months since the End of Life Choice Act came into force, enabling eligible, terminally ill New Zealanders to choose to end their lives; after two-thirds (65.1%) of Kiwis voted it through in the 2020 referendum.
Ministry of Health data show that, as of May 1, 92​ people have had assisted deaths across the country.
A further 69​ applications to access assisted dying were still in progress, and 267​ applications overall had been made between November 7 and May 1, the ministry said.
To be eligible for assisted dying under the act, a person (over 18) must have a terminal illness likely to end their life within six months. They must have significant and ongoing decline in physical capability and experience unbearable suffering, which cannot be eased in a manner they find tolerable.
A person cannot access assisted dying solely because they have a mental disorder or mental illness, have a disability or are of advanced age.
Of the 267 applications made in the first six months assisted dying has been legal in Aotearoa, 18​ were withdrawn. Forty-eight​ people were deemed ineligible to access assisted dying, and 40​ died while their application was in progress.
Of those deemed ineligible, 29​ were determined not to be suffering from a terminal illness likely to end their life within six months.
Twenty-three​ were considered not to be experiencing unbearable suffering unable to be relieved in a tolerable manner, and 21​ were not in an advanced state of irreversible decline in physical capability.
Seven people were deemed not competent to make an informed decision about assisted dying, and two were not a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident.
A person can be ineligible for more than one reason. Read More...
