Health professionals can choose to be involved in providing assisted dying services or supporting the provision of these services. They can also choose not to be involved.

Only medical and nurse practitioners can provide assisted dying services under the End of Life Choice Act 2019.

End of Life Choice Act 2019 (external link)

Other health professionals may be involved with the care of the person and or provision of information and support. A health professional’s involvement may depend on their willingness, their role and scope of practice, and their level of experience or skills.

All health professionals have legal and professional obligations to respond appropriately if a person raises assisted dying with them. Health professionals are not however able to suggest assisted dying as an option or initiate a discussion about assisted dying. The person involved must always raise assisted dying first.

Training is available on Ko Awatea LEARN and healthLearn to support understanding of the legal obligations and duty of care to the person.

Ko Awatea LEARN (external link)
healthLearn (external link) 

The training prepares healthcare staff to respond in a respectful manner should a person raise the subject of assisted dying, and ensure they know how the service is delivered, what conscientious objection means and and where to direct a person who wishes to access this service.

Delivering assisted dying services

This information sheet written by the Ministry of Health | Manatū Hauora has more information about the law and how different health professionals may be involved in the assisted dying service. It includes information about conscientiously objecting to assisted dying services.

The information section has details about assisted dying, including printable information sheets. 

Assisted dying information for the public 

Health professionals can direct people to this website, if assisted dying is raised with them.

If you have any questions, please email AssistedDying@tewhatuora.govt.nz

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.