Australian doctors are risking long-term jail-time after admitting they’re inducing early deaths for terminally ill patients.
West Australian based GP Alida Lancee has been under investigation for more than two years after she said she hastened the death of an elderly woman dying from emphysema.
In July, Dr Lancee was cleared by a board of authorities, who said she provided appropriate care to the patient and did not bring about an early death.
But on Sunday, Dr Lancee says they’ve been looking at the wrong patient, and will re-open the case by identifying the real one on Channel Nine’s 60 Minutes.
Dr Alida Lancee (pictured) is prepared to face criminal conviction for her belief in euthanasia
Dr Lancee has been a prolific advocate for euthanasia reform.
‘Right now, behind closed doors in Australia, hundreds of people are begging for help,’ she says.
But by identifying the patient she claims to have helped die prematurely, she believes she will face a murder charge.
‘I hastened this lady’s death, currently this is called murder,’ she told The West Australian.
‘I am prepared to face a criminal charge to expose the problems with the current legal framework that doctors work under when they care for the dying.’
Dr Frank Kotai (pictured) supports Dr Lancee, saying he has assisted in the death of six patients
Another doctor, Dr Rodney Syme (pictured) told 60 minutes he has assisted in 300 deaths
Following the two-year-long police investigation, Dr Lancee was labelled ‘Dr Death’.
But she says she isn’t without supporters within the industry.
“Not many doctors are willing to do it, and so she’s quite unique,’ Dr Frank Kotai says, who claims he has assisted in the deaths of six of his terminally ill patients.
Another doctor, Dr Rodney Syme told 60 minutes he has assisted in 300 deaths.
The trio hope telling their stories will lead to nation-wide reform for euthanasia laws.
Dr Lancee (pictured), labelled ‘Dr Death’ following a police investigation, hopes voluntary assisted dying will be legalised Australia-wide after legislation was reformed in Victoria
Dr Syme is the vice-president of Dying With Dignity Victoria, lobbying for voluntary assisted dying for more than 30 years.
The organisation played an instrumental role in euthanasia legislation reform in Victoria.
New laws will be introduced in June 2019, making Victoria the only Australian state in which it is legal for doctors to assist terminal patients end their lives.
The most recent data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows that men over the age of 85 have the highest suicide rate in Australia.