Independent Member for Mersey Michael Gaffney, who spent years championing the historic End-of-Life Choices (VAD) Act 2021, has secured a critical victory for medical practitioners with the announcement of a streamlined online clinical portal.
Media release – Michael Gaffney MLC, independent Member for Mersey, 21 November 2025
A VAD CLINICAL PORTAL FOR TASMANIA
Tasmania will finally be getting an online Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD) Clinical Portal for its Medical Practitioners.
In Wednesday’s Budget Estimates, the Hon Bridget Archer, Minister for Health, confirmed that she has just signed off on the procurement process for an online Clinical Portal.
The VAD Clinical portal will streamline the essential administrative processes for Medical Practitioners supporting patients seeking VAD.
The Hon Mike Gaffney MLC said it’s a welcome development. Medical Practitioners have been asking for an online portal since the End-of-Life Choices (VAD) Act 2021 came into being.
“I receive ongoing feedback from GPs about the challenges they face in helping people work through the administrative paperwork. One that is an essential and required part the End-of-Life Choices Act,” Gaffney said.
“It’s got to the stage where GPs trained in VAD protocols are stepping back, with others reluctant to step up. That’s not because they don’t want to, it’s due to a variety of factors uppermost of which is the time it takes to do the paperwork. A portal will enable a more effective streamlined process.”
Gaffney thanks Minister Archer for her willingness to listen to the concerns of Medical Practitioners who support VAD patients, and to act decisively on their behalf.
“As the last State without a Clinical Portal, The Minister’s decision will make all the difference to Tasmanian Medical Practitioners who give many hours of their time supporting people seeking VAD,” said Gaffney.
“VAD is increasingly recognised in Tasmania as a legitimate and compassionate way for a person with a terminal illness to end their intolerable suffering, and on their own terms. The portal will ensure Medical Practitioners can devote more of their time to a VAD patient’s immediate needs,” Gaffney concluded.
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