Assisted dying training resources for health professionals
Information about assisted dying training and resources available to health professionals.
Pātiki and Waharua Kōpito patterns
On this page
Learning more about assisted dying
Information, guidance, and training resources about assisted dying for health professionals are hosted on the Ko Awatea LEARN and healthLearn training platform.
Ko Awatea LEARN (external link)
All health professionals, regardless of their involvement in assisted dying, are encouraged to complete appropriate training to support their understanding of their legal obligations under the End of Life Choice Act 2019, and to enable them to fulfil their obligations under the act, should a person enquire to them about assisted dying.
End of Life Choice Act 2019 (external link)
The resources and training aim to support health professionals to respond respectfully and helpfully, including knowing where to direct a person who wishes to access assist dying services.
E-learning modules
There are three e-learning modules for healthcare staff available on Ko Awatea LEARN and healthLearn.
Ko Awatea LEARN (external link)
The modules are also relevant to practitioners who choose not to be involved in assisted dying, including for reasons of conscientious objection.
These modules can be completed individually or as a group learning tool, such as in a team meeting.
To gain an understanding of the Act, including a practitioner’s rights and responsibilities it is recommended all healthcare staff complete these modules:
To access the courses below, please visit:
End of Life Choice Act - Ko Awatea LEARN (external link)
End of Life Choice Act - healthLEARN (external link)
End of Life Choice Act 2019: Overview
- This 20-minute e-learning module explains the process for accessing assisted dying including the roles of different health practitioners.
- Responding when a person raises assisted dying
End of Life Choice Act - Ko Awatea LEARN (external link)
End of Life Choice Act - healthLEARN (external link)
Assisted Dying Care Pathway: Overview
- This 20-minute e-learning module explains the process for accessing assisted dying including the roles of different health practitioners.
- Responding when a person raises assisted dying
Further information and resources
This factsheet provides more information about the overview module and the Ko Awatea LEARN and healthLearn access instructions:
Accessing e-Learning Modules on Ko Awatea LEARN and healthLEARN
Collection and Use of Information
When health professionals create an account on Ko Awatea LEARN or healthLEARN to access e-learning modules, some personal information may be collected. This information is used to support ongoing workforce development and training initiatives across the health sector.
The data collected helps us improve the quality of learning experiences and tailor future training to better meet sector needs. Any training-related information that is published will be anonymised to protect individual privacy.
Your Rights
You have the right to request a copy of any personal information we hold about you in relation to this training. You may also request corrections if you believe the information is inaccurate.
For enquiries, please contact: AssistedDying@tewhatuora.govt.nz
Who Can Access the Modules?
The assisted dying e-learning modules are primarily designed for healthcare staff. However, anyone working in a health-related context in New Zealand—whether in a clinical or non-clinical role—may request access to Ko Awatea LEARN or healthLEARN.
Registering for an Account
New users are encouraged to complete as many fields as possible when registering. This helps Ko Awatea LEARN and healthLEARN administrators assess whether the access request is appropriate and legitimate.
Required training for medical and nurse practitioners providing assisted dying
There are five e-learning modules for medical and nurse practitioners who intend to provide assisted dying services. These cover the assessment process, preparations for an assisted death, providing an assisted death and after-care, as well as practitioner safety and wellbeing, and a module to review learning.
Medical and nurse practitioners need to complete the five e-learning modules to be eligible to claim funding under the Assisted Dying Services Notice 2021.
Assisted Dying Funding and Payments.
These modules can be accessed through Ko Awatea LEARN and healthLEARN but require manual enrolment through the Assisted Dying Services team at Health New Zealand.
Practitioners need to request access via email by contacting: AssistedDying@tewhatuora.govt.nz
- name
- profession
- date of birth
- email connected to your Ko Awatea LEARN and healthLEARN account and,
- your Medical or Nursing Council number.
SCENZ list
If an applicant’s doctor does not provide assisted dying services, or they do not feel comfortable discussing the service with them, applicants can contact the Support and Consultation for End of Life in New Zealand (SCENZ) Group via the Assisted Dying team at Health New Zealand for help to find a doctor who can assist them.
Contact the Assisted Dying Service at Health New Zealand:
- Phone: 0800 223 852
- Email: AssistedDying@tewhatuora.govt.nz
Practitioners can register their interest for the SCENZ list via Ministry of Health website.
Register for an assisted dying practitioner list | Ministry of Health NZ (external link)
Assisted dying is a sensitive topic and may be difficult for some people. If you need support, please consider talking to your employer or accessing the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) available in your workplace.
You can also talk to a trained counsellor by calling or texting 1737 — a free, confidential service available 24/7.