Organ donation after circulatory death following voluntary assisted dying: practical and ethical considerations for Victoria

Abstract

On 19 June 2019, the Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill 2017 (Vic) will be enacted. Up to ten per cent of people deemed eligible for voluntary assisted dying will be medically suitable for organ donation. Donation after circulatory death after assisted dying is possible, although there are important challenges to address for donation to be successful in this context. This article explores the practical and ethical considerations that need to be reviewed in order to support organ donation after assisted dying. In particular, it discusses the ways in which organ donation will affect the place, timing and mechanism of death, and the ethics around consent for donation. The article explores potential ways to minimise warm ischaemic time, and finally discusses the potential for donation to influence the decision to consume the voluntary assisted dying substance.