The assisted dying process can stop at any time
The process will stop if the person is found not to be eligible
The person may be found to not be eligible during the assessment process, as described above. The process will stop at that point.
In addition, a person may become eligible after the assessment process if their situation changes. For example, if the person loses competency to make an informed decision after going through the assessment process.
If the person is found not to be eligible, the process must stop and the attending medical practitioner or attending nurse practitioner will explain reason the process has stopped to the person and their whānau.
The process will stop if the person is being pressured
Only the person can choose to access assisted dying. It must be the person’s informed choice and they must have made this choice without pressure from anyone else. Whānau, carers, welfare guardians, or holders of an enduring power of attorney, cannot request assisted dying on behalf of another person. A health professional cannot suggest it as an option.
If the person’s attending medical practitioner or attending nurse practitioner thinks at any time that the person is being pressured into choosing assisted dying, the process must stop and the attending medical practitioner or attending nurse practitioner should explain the reason why to the person.
The process will stop if the person changes their mind
The person can change their mind about choosing assisted dying, and they can stop the process at any time up until the point that the medication is administered. The person’s attending medical practitioner must make sure the person understands that they can change their mind.
Before the medication is administered, the medical or nurse practitioner will also ask the person if they choose to receive the medication. The person can choose one of three options:
- to take the medication then
- to delay taking the medication to a later date (within six months of the date originally chosen)
- to cancel their request for assisted dying.