South Australia celebrates first year of VAD

Between January 31, 2023 and January 30, 2024 –

·      195 people issued a VAD permit

·      140 of those died – 110 from administration of VAD substance

·      75% were aged 65 years and over

·      53% were male and 47% were female

·      77% were receiving palliative care

·      68% were from metropolitan Adelaide and 32% were from regional SA

·      121 doctors registered to undertake mandatory practitioner training and 

·      73 having completed the training, making them eligible to support access to VAD in SA.

·      Trained medical practitioners can be found across both metropolitan and regional areas, with 73 per cent in metro Adelaide and 27 per cent in regional South Australia.