Voluntary Assisted Dying: The Doctors Who See Death Differently

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What does it really look like to face death with choice, dignity and clarity? In this episode of Don’t Be Caught Dead, I sit down with two doctors who’ve seen death from every angle — and who aren’t afraid to talk about it.

I’m joined by Dr Nick Carr, one of the first GPs in Victoria to be involved in voluntary assisted dying, and Dr Kane Treble, a regional GP in Mildura with a background in emergency medicine, palliative care and paramedicine. Together, they pull back the curtain on how voluntary assisted dying works, why it matters, and what the system gets right (and wrong).

We dive into the personal stories that changed the way these doctors practise medicine — from patients like Beverley who died before the law was passed, to families who’ve experienced the relief and beauty of a death on their own terms. We talk openly about the barriers in the current laws, the stigma in rural communities, the gag clause that stops doctors from raising the option, and the very real impact this has on dying people and their families.

This conversation is raw, eye-opening and full of heart. It’s about the messy truth of death, why choice matters, and how doctors themselves are changed by walking alongside people at the very end.

In this episode, we cover:

• How voluntary assisted dying became law in Victoria
• The story of Beverley Broadbent and why her death sparked change
• Why doctors in Victoria are still gagged from even mentioning voluntary assisted dying
• The challenges rural and regional patients face in accessing end of life choices
• The reality of telehealth restrictions and why they make dying harder than it needs to be
• What it

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