00:02Sandra Sorentu is preparing to die tomorrow. After being diagnosed with a highly aggressive
00:08lung cancer, she'll end her life using voluntary assisted dying, known as VAD.
00:14I'm very grateful for it. However, it makes me sad to know that there are people out there
00:22who can't and their time is ticking.
00:24The 58-year-old paramedic is concerned that some terminally ill patients are missing out
00:31because of their postcode.
00:32Travel hours to possibly see a doctor and get the chance for VAD is just horrific.
00:40It's taking longer to get approvals for those patients because doctors who provide VAD
00:45care are in short supply.
00:49In the last fortnight, I've covered about 3,000 kilometres across the state for voluntary
00:53assisted dying.
00:54Dr Scott Lewis flies his own plane to patients in rural, regional and remote areas, but he
01:00can't reach everyone in time.
01:03We haven't been able to see them through the consultations fast enough before their illness
01:08has taken their lives.
01:10He says telehealth provides a solution, but doctors can't use it because of a provision
01:15in the Commonwealth Criminal Code, which means doctors can't use phone, video or email to
01:21discuss VAD medication with patients.
01:24Labor's national platform now supports telehealth in VAD care, but the Prime Minister and other
01:30senior party figures remain personally opposed, arguing that phone consultations could undermine
01:36safeguards for vulnerable patients.
01:38For Sandra Sorento, it's a matter of equity.
01:42Make it fair and available for everyone.
01:45Using her final hours to leave a legacy.
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