The First 100 days of Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD) at Metro North

Exhibition Launch – 10am, Friday 28th July- Saturday 4 August 2023

The First 100 Days of Voluntary Assisted Dying – The Metro North Experience Exhibition was launched at the Royal Brisbane Women’s Hospital on Friday 28^th July, with over 60 people attending.

The exhibition was officially opened by MP Aaron Harper, Chairperson of Parliament’s Health and Environment Committee, who played a pivotal role in legislating Voluntary Assisted Dying in Queensland. His presence underscored the importance and commitment of the government in ensuring compassionate end-of-life care options for patients. With its compelling narratives, the exhibit aimed to demystify the VAD process, share personal experiences, and educate the public about this healthcare choice. Through these stories, visitors will gain insight into the hopes, myths, beliefs, and fears of those undertaking the VAD assessment journey, as well as the profound impact on their loved ones, caregivers, and external service providers.

The exhibition was moved to the walkway connecting Ned Hanlon and James Mayne buildings on Level 1, Monday 31 July, where it stayed for a week – engaging visitors to engage with the real-life accounts of patients and caregivers while fostering a better understanding of VAD as a compassionate and respectful end-of-life option.

About the Project

The First 100 days of Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD) at Metro North
Rosemount Campus, Windsor, Metro North Hospital and Health Services 

The Metro North Voluntary Assisted Dying team has collaborated with Clinical Excellence Queensland (CEQ) and Queensland University of Technology (QUT) – the QUT Design Lab – to document the first 100 days of VAD within Metro North.

The stories shared in the exhibition using photographs and audio, illustrate the unique perspective of patients, families, and staff. The exhibition is designed to normalize conversations about death, dying, and grief as well as creating a safe space for dialogue and reflection about Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD), which become available to eligible Queenslanders on 1^st January 2023. We acknowledge and respect that VAD, and other end of life decisions are complex, with many holding personal reasons for views that are important to them. Respect for all views is central to the success of the implementation of VAD.

This exhibition documents the first 100 days of VAD at Metro North, who have been privileged to be a part of enabling patients’ choice to access assisted dying. The stories shared here, in photographs and audio, illustrate the unique perspective of patients, families, and staff. The exhibition is designed to normalise conversations about death, dying, and grief – and to create a safe space for dialogue and reflection about VAD.

Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islanders viewers and the general audience should consider caution when engaging with the work, as it contains images or voices of people who have died.

Team Leads: Leah Thompson & Kobie Clay
Main QUT project contacts: Evonne Miller e.miller@qut.edu.au & Sam Regi navinsam.regi@hdr.qut.edu.au

Past Exhibitions

Metro North Health / QUT Display, May 2023

Below are some images from our first smaller-scale industry exhibition at a palliative care event in May 2023.