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Voluntary Assisted Dying

Since January 1st, 2023, Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD) has been legally available to eligible individuals in Queensland.

VAD provides an option for people living with a terminal illness to choose a medically assisted death, offering greater choice and dignity at the end of life.

VAD may involve self-administration or administration by a trained medical practitioner and is considered alongside other treatment options, including palliative care.

At Stonewall Medical Centre, we are committed to supporting patients with compassionate, respectful, and legally compliant care through this process.

Dr Neil Simmons is a registered VAD practitioner and has been authorised to provide VAD services since March 2023.

Dr Simmons offers:

  • Comprehensive eligibility assessments for VAD
  • Prescribing of the appropriate VAD substance for eligible patients
  • Ongoing support and guidance throughout the process

Please note that VAD assessments are conducted at our practice only and are not offered at home, in hospitals, or via telehealth.

Eligibility

There are six eligibility criteria for accessing Voluntary Assisted Dying in Queensland.

For full eligibility details, patients are encouraged to visit the official Queensland Health website:

➡️ Voluntary assisted dying | Queensland Health

Booking an Appointment

If you would like to consult with Dr Neil Simmons regarding Voluntary Assisted Dying, please contact our reception team on 07 3857 1222 and advise that you wish to schedule a VAD appointment.

This allows us to allocate the appropriate time for your consultation.

Please be aware that due to capacity limitations, Dr Simmons may not always be able to accommodate new patients.

In such cases, our team will assist by referring you to the Queensland Voluntary Assisted Dying Support Service (QVAD-Support) for further assistance.

At Stonewall Medical Centre, we approach end-of-life care with compassion, respect, and sensitivity to each individual’s wishes and circumstances.

Book an appointment - Ph: 07 3857 1222

General Questions

VAD Billing Policy

This service requires clinician time which is not adequately covered by Medicare. The extra clinician time is needed for accessing medical records, liaison and filling in Queensland Health Forms.

Hence, Dr Simmons is charging an out-of-pocket cost. All out-of-pockets costs are negotiable; Dr Simmons does not want money to be a barrier to care.

VAD Consult Type Duration Fee Medicare Rebate Out of Pocket Cost
First Assessment- Level D >40 minutes $267.40 $117.40 $150

Subsequent assessments will have variable fees depending on the requirements of the consultation.

Further Contact Details